Night had fallen over Abraka, the streets alive with soft neon and distant laughter from bars and night markets.
From the balcony of a quiet boutique hotel, Sam stood barefoot, the evening breeze carrying the scents of roasted suya and palm wine. Below, the hum of motorcycles echoed faintly, a far cry from the roar of the Spotify Camp Nou.
Inside the room, Kayla lounged on the bed, scrolling her phone with a mischievous smirk.
"Babe," she called, half-laughing, "you might want to see this".
Sam turned, brow raised. "What now?"
She held up the screen. On it, a blurry video played; a masked man on the university pitch earlier that evening, pulling off an impossible rabona pass, then celebrating wildly.
The caption read:
["Abraka's mystery baller – plays like Sam Moses but claims he's just 'a guy who loves football.' Who do we think this is?"]
The post had gone viral in just a few hours.
Thousands of comments flooded in.
["Bro, that's him. Look at that flick. That's Samuel Moses."]
["Nah, no way. What's he doing in Abraka? He did an interview in Lagos just yesterday."]
["Come on guys, only Sam can play like that… those moves are extraterrestrial."]
Kayla chuckled. "I told you someone would notice. You're too good to hide".
"But your masks". Sam looked at his wife, dismayed.
Kayla scoffed. "Don't even try to blame me".
Sam smirked, shaking his head. "So much for anonymity".
He sank onto the bed beside her, watching the video loop again. A warmth spread through his chest; not embarrassment, but something deeper. Connection.
He grabbed his phone, opened his social media app, and began typing.
[Social Media Post]
A photo of the Abraka sky, dusk bleeding into night. The caption read:
["Came home to where it all began. Couldn't resist a little street football with my people."]
["Yeah… it was me. And it felt like magic."]
["Football is for everyone, everywhere. Abraka, I love you. {Red Heart emoji} {Football emoji} #Homecoming #FootballGod"]
Within minutes, the post exploded.
Millions of likes. Tens of thousands of shares. Global headlines lit up:
["Sam Moses secretly plays street football in Nigeria – Confirmed!"]
["Football God returns to his roots in Abraka."]
["From Champions League to Concrete Pitch: Sam's Heartfelt Homecoming."]
As the notifications poured in, Sam stared out the window, his mind churning. It was already a few years, and still, getting used to the social media life was proving hard for him.
His eyes drifted towards the old part of town where the viewing center stood.
The same viewing center where a 6 year old boy once watched Messi and Barcelona conquer Manchester United in 2011.
Kayla noticed his faraway look. "You're thinking about that place again, aren't you?"
Sam nodded slowly. "That's where it started for me. First time I ever saw the game in full color. My dad holding my hand, both of us dreaming big, him celebrating. That place made me believe".
He turned to her, eyes burning with resolve. "I'm buying it".
"I'm going to renovate it, turn it into more than just a viewing center. It's going to be a football cultural hub. A place where kids like me can dream even bigger without having to pay a dime".
Kayla's smile grew. "I love that".
But Sam wasn't finished.
"And I'm starting an academy here. Not just any academy; a gateway to Europe. Kids with talent will have a direct line to the big leagues through me".
"No more wasted genius because scouts couldn't find them. Abraka will be a pipeline to the bigger world".
Kayla kissed his cheek, whispering. "That's the Football God I married".
Sam grinned, posting another update online.
["Tonight, I'm making two promises:"]
["First, I'm buying and transforming the Abraka viewing center along the Police Station road, where I first fell in love with football. It'll be a landmark for dreamers. There, football lovers can freely watch football without paying a dime."]
["Second, I'm building a world-class football academy in Abraka, connected to Europe. Our talent won't go unnoticed anymore."]
["This is just the start. #ForgingALegacy."]
The reaction was immediate.
Fans from Nigeria to Spain flooded his feed with praise. Pundits declared it a monumental moment for African football.
…
The next day…
Morning broke bright and hot.
Outside the hotel, hundreds had gathered, chanting Sam's name, holding banners, some even holding up homemade drawings of his World Cup moments.
Kayla stood at the window, sipping coffee. "Well… there's no hiding now," she teased.
Sam slipped on a casual tee and jeans, leaving the mask on the nightstand. "Time to say hi," he said with a smile.
Stepping out, he was swallowed by cheers and applause.
Kids scrambled forward for autographs. Elders blessed him with prayers. Mothers lifted toddlers onto their shoulders to catch a glimpse of the man who had carried Nigeria to the brink of World Cup glory.
Sam didn't just wave; he stayed.
For hours, he signed jerseys, posed for photos, and even juggled a ball for the crowd, sparking waves of laughter and excitement.
One boy, wide-eyed, tugged at his sleeve. "Is it true you played at the university pitch yesterday?"
Sam crouched to meet his gaze, smiling.
"True," he said softly. "Never forget where you come from, little man. That's where greatness begins".
By noon, Sam and Kayla finally departed Abraka, escorted by jubilant fans all the way to the airport.
From the plane window, Sam watched the town shrink below him, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.
Abraka had given him his dream. Now, he was giving it back.
And as the engines roared, one thought crystallized in his mind:
This wasn't just a vacation. This was the beginning of his legacy.
"Where to now?" Kayla looked at her husband.
Sam looked at her, feeling a bit guilty. "I really want to take you on our honeymoon now, but there are a few important figures that I want to meet before leaving. I also want you to meet them".
Kayla sighed, having expected that. "That coach you always told me about, right?"
"Yes". Sam grinned.