Rise of a Football God

The Super Eagles players spent just the night in Morocco.

Afterall, on their phones, they could follow the happenings through Twitter about how the celebrations were going back home in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, 18th January suddenly felt like Christmas eve.

That night, no one slept.

Millions of youths flooded the streets, carrying the Nigerian flag and flaunting it, drowning themselves in celebratory powders, jubilating even as one name reigned supreme in their tongues.

"Sam Oye!"

"Sam Oye!" They sang, screaming.

"Osimhen Oye!"

"Nwabali Oye!"

"Nigeria Oye!"

"Nigeria Oye!"

"Morocco Kuya!"

"KUYAAAA!" They chorused.

It was not just in one part of the country. Across the country, youths flooded the streets, celebrating the win and return of the AFCON trophy to their home soil.

That night, DJs got to show their talents, flooding the clubs and bars with music so the celebrating Nigerians could enjoy to their hearts' content.

Back in Abraka, it was chaos.

It was not just the Nigerian flag, the Abraka citizens also created banners of Sam, waving them as they ran across the town, inserting and singing his name to popular Nigerian Afrobeats songs.

That night, few people slept on time.

Some didn't even sleep at all, celebrating all night.

And the originally inconsistent NEPA in charge of electricity across the country also decided to join in the celebrations, giving the country constant light throughout the period of the celebration, making it even more memorable.

And this was why Eric Chelle decided that they won't stay in Morocco, that he and his players would be returning to Nigeria the next day to join the country in the celebrations.

The Super Eagles' triumphant return to Nigeria was nothing short of legendary.

As their plane touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, thousands of fans had already gathered, waiting, singing, chanting, ready to welcome their champions home.

The tarmac was lined with dignitaries, family members, government officials, even the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but they were nearly drowned out by the massive wave of green and white in the streets.

The entire country had erupted into celebration.

It was a sea of green and white.

As the players stepped out of the aircraft, one by one, the deafening sound of vuvuzelas, drums, and cheers filled the air.

Banners waved, flags soared, fans climbed on cars, lampposts, and rooftops, anything for a better view of their heroes.

Click! Click!

Camera sounds reverberated rapidly as paparazzi and fans used their smart phones to take pictures of their idols, immortalizing the moment and making sure that the memory was archived to be shown to their children and grandchildren.

The loudest cheer came when Sam stepped out of the airplane, lifting the AFCON trophy high above his head.

Eric Chelle didn't instruct his players on this. After discussing among themselves, William Troost-Ekong, the Nigerian captain agreed to his teammates suggestion to allow Sam come out with the trophy.

Afterall, he singlehandedly won them the tournament.

As soon as Sam stepped out with the AFCON trophy lifted above his head, the joy of the fans became uncontainable.

"CHAMPIONS!"

"CHAMPIONS!"

"SUPER EAGLES!!!" They cheered at the top of their lungs.

The crowd went wild. People danced, screamed, and hugged strangers as if they had won the trophy themselves.

"Super Eagles don come back!"

"Dem don carry AFCON come house!" They cheered in pidgin.

"Nigeria no dey carry last!"

"Up Super Eagles!" They roared.

It was an explosion of national pride, the kind of joy that made strangers feel like family, and for citizens to temporarily forget the numerous problems plaguing a big country.

And of course, they got set for the victory parade for the ages.

The Nigerian government had prepared an open-top bus parade, but they had underestimated the turnout. The streets of Abuja were jampacked.

The players stood on the bus, waving, singing, and spraying water on the fans below, basking in the love of their people.

The crowd chanted.

"Super Eagles, we love you!"

"Osimhen!" "Nwabali!" "Sam!"

The loudest cheer was reserved for Sam, the hero of the final and literally the whole tournament. As he stepped to the front of the bus, a fan shouted.

"SAM FOR PRESIDENT!!!"

Laughter, cheers, and applause followed.

The parade moved slowly through the city, stopping at key locations, including Eagle Square, where government officials and football legends awaited them.

It was a parade to never forget.

…

By evening, the players were invited to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, where they were received by the President himself.

Medals of honor were awarded.

The entire squad received national recognition, and some were even promised houses, land, and lifetime benefits.

The players, still on a high from their victory, couldn't believe the love they were receiving. This was not just a team; this was a movement.

…

And then came another night of endless celebration.

Across the country, Nigeria did not sleep.

In Lagos, the streets of Surulere, Lekki, and Ikeja turned into dance floors, with massive street parties, blaring music, and people waving flags from car windows.

It almost felt like Independence Day.

In Port Harcourt, celebratory gunshots rang through the air, fireworks lighting up the night sky.

In Kano and Kaduna, processions filled the streets, horses decorated in green and white, riders chanting in celebration.

In Enugu, Owerri, Benin City, Asaba, Ibadan, everywhere, people sang, danced, and honored their team.

Even Nigerians abroad flooded the streets of London, New York, and Toronto, draped in green and white, chanting.

"Up Super Eagles!"

The nation of Nigeria was united in solidarity under the banner of football.

The Super Eagles had done more than just win a tournament.

They had given a nation hope. They had united a people. They had made history, history to never be forgotten.

And as the celebrations raged on, one thing was clear.

This was Nigeria's moment, and they would never forget it.

…

While the celebrations raged, holed inside a room, with blood-shot eyes, a certain Nigerian having worked hours on end on a video finally posted it.

As soon as he hit post, he jumped in giddy excitement, quickly downing a bottle of beer in celebration.

[YouTube Channel: MagicalSam]

(You have posted a new video in your YouTube channel 'MagicalSam')

(Samuel Moses- Volume 2: Conquering Africa!)

That video… soon took the world by storm.