The plane touched down in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State under a late morning sun, the sky painted with rolling clouds and soft blues.
As soon as Sam and Kayla stepped out, the familiar humid air filled his lungs, carrying memories of dusty pitches, raucous local matches, and the hunger of a boy who wanted more than survival… who wanted greatness.
It was ironic how when he was still an upcoming star for Enyimba FC, he couldn't stop dreaming of making it to the big leagues and playing in Europe. And yet, he was now in Europe, but the scent of home attracted him like never before.
'Life is a cycle, I guess'. He smiled.
In the hotel lobby, Sam checked his watch.
This wasn't about fanfare or headlines. This meeting was personal.
Kayla noticed his unusually quiet demeanor. "You're nervous," she teased, slipping her hand into his for support.
Sam chuckled softly. "Not nervous. Just… this means a lot". He sighed. "These guys… if not for them, I'd still probably still be in Abraka, kicking balls for fun".
"No Enyimba, no Europe. And no Europe, no us".
Kayla squeezed his hand. "Then let's go meet them".
…
Later that afternoon, they arrived at a small but elegant restaurant in Asaba. A private lounge had been reserved, away from cameras and curious eyes.
As Sam stepped in, three men stood waiting.
Coach James; artificial gray dying into his hair, still broad-shouldered and commanding in his 30s. The man whose casual Christmas friendly game had unknowingly altered football history.
Coach Yemi Daniel, the former Enyimba head coach was still sharp-eyed and dignified, once the only man who believed that the 17 year old unknown midfielder could play professionally.
And then Austin Oladapo; built like an iron wall, with a hearty laugh that filled the room. Once a midfield general for Enyimba and also Sam's captain then, he now played his trade in Germany for Wolfsburg.
The mere sight of them sparked a bright smile on Sam's face.
All three turned at once, and for a moment, they just stared.
"Sam," Coach James said with a grin, voice cracking with emotion as a smile lit up his face. "Look at you now".
Sam crossed the room in three strides, hugging the middle-aged man tightly. "Coach," he said, voice low, "it's been too long".
Next was Coach Yemi. The older man shook his head in disbelief before Sam wrapped him in a firm embrace.
The first word he said was. "My boy!" He grinned. "What a World Cup performance!" He raved, bumping Sam on the shoulder with a fist.
"15 goals and 3 assists in just 8 games in a single World Cup tournament is unprecedented, brat". He grinned. "10 goals and 2 assists in 5 knockout games, you monster, I still can't believe it!"
Sam smiled sheepishly. "Well, I had a good teacher," he said, referring to him, to which Coach Yemi reacted by waving a hand dismissively.
"You said yes when everyone else said no," Sam whispered. "I've never forgotten that".
Coach Yemi smiled. "My boy…" he patted him on the back.
Finally, Austin grinned wide, grabbing Sam in a bone-crushing hug that lifted him clean off the floor.
"The little boy who nutmegged me in training!" Austin bellowed. "Now the Football God himself. My man!" he bumped fists with Sam.
Laughter filled the lounge as they all sat down, Kayla joining beside Sam. He introduced her with pride shining in his eyes.
"Gentlemen, this is my wife, Kayla. The queen who somehow tolerates me".
Kayla smiled warmly as each man shook her hand, visibly proud to meet the woman standing beside Nigeria's current most celebrated son.
It didn't take long for the get-together to flow along.
The drinks flowed, and soon the stories began.
Coach James leaned back, eyes misty. "You remember that Christmas game, Sam? I only invited you because my younger brother vouched for you. According to him, he met you at the school gym, right?"
"I almost said no. Lord, imagine if I had!" He laughed.
Sam also laughed, shaking his head. "Coach, that game… I was terrified. If I told you I didn't kick a ball in years before that you wouldn't believe. But something told me, this is it… my shot".
Coach Yemi nodded, smiling. "And then you destroyed those boys. I didn't even wait for the whistle. I pulled you aside and said, 'Son, you're signing for Enyimba today, not tomorrow'. I've never signed a player so fast in my life".
Austin leaned forward, pointing at Sam. "And when you came to training? You were just a boy. No muscles, no strength, but a brutal work rate. I thought you couldn't sustain it. I thought, 'He won't last a week'. But then…" Austin paused, grinning. "…you burned me with that nutmeg. I wanted to fight you right there!"
The table erupted in laughter.
"But," Austin continued. "I saw something in your eyes that day. Hunger. Fire. So I decided, nah, this boy needs an older brother. We worked every day, didn't we? Heck, we even shared hotel rooms on away games". He laughed.
Sam's voice softened. "You taught me everything about grit, about mentality. You told me, 'Football isn't just talent, its war. If you don't fight for every blade of grass, someone else will".
He looked at Austin with deep gratitude. "That stuck with me".
"Even now, in Barcelona, when I step onto the pitch, I fight like I'm still trying to prove myself to you". He leaned back on his chair, smiling.
"People wonder where my mamba mentality comes from… I inherited traits of it from you".
Austin's jaw tightened, his smile fading into something proud and fierce. "That's why you're the Football God, Sam. Because you never lost the fight".
As the evening wound down, Sam stood, raising his glass. His voice carried weight, steady and heartfelt.
"You three changed my life," he said. "You didn't just give me chances, you gave me belief. Without you, there's no Enyimba, no Fulham, no Barcelona, no Nigeria in a World Cup final. And definitely… no legacy".
He glanced at Kayla, then back at them. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I'll make sure the next generation of Abraka kids has coaches like you, mentors like you… because you showed me what real football is".
"Damn boy!" Coach James cursed, wiping his eyes. "Now you're making me emotional!"
Sam chuckled. Coach Yemi nodded solemnly. Austin clapped Sam on the shoulder, his blooming voice filling the room.
"To Sam, the kid we knew would be great, but never knew how great".
Glasses clinked, sealing a moment that felt like closing one chapter of destiny and opening another.
…
That night, as Sam and Kayla left the restaurant, walking hand in hand under the Asaba stars, Kayla whispered.
"They're proud of you".
Sam smiled softly. "They're the reason I am".
And as they slipped into the quiet streets, Sam knew this wasn't just a reunion. It was a promise to himself, to Abraka, to Nigeria.
He was no longer just playing football.
He was forging a legacy.