The sun dipped low over Abuja, the federal capital territory of Nigeria, turning the sky a deep orange as Sam and Kayla's convoy rolled through the high gates of the Moses family mansion in Maitama.
The ground compound, flanked by trimmed hedges and glistening fountains, stood as a testament to a journey that had begun in the dusty streets of Abraka.
As soon as the car stopped, the front doors burst open.
"Samuel!" cried his mother, Mrs. Moses, a vibrant, bustling Nigerian woman in a flowing Ankara wrapper.
She charged forward, hands wide, voice carrying like a general on a battlefield.
Sam barely had time to get out of the car before she grabbed him in a crushing embrace.
"See my son! My own superstar! My world champion!" she gushed, swatting his shoulder lightly. "You don't call, you don't even send messages anymore… now you're too big to visit your mother, eh?"
Sam chuckled, hugging her tightly. "Ah Mama…"
"Don't mama me!" She snapped.
Sam almost cried. "Come on mom, I was saving the best for last".
From behind her came Sophia, his younger sister, eighteen and full of mischief. She bolted down the steps, phone already recording.
"Look at him! The Football God himself, in my compound!" she teased. "Abeg, no forget me when you're lifting the Ballon d'Or". She said in pidgin.
Sam pulled her into a playful headlock, laughing. "You this small pest, still running your mouth!"
"Who you calling small?" Sophia squealed, punching his arm. "I've got more followers than you on TikTok!" She bragged.
Kayla stood nearby, watching with a warm smile as laughter echoed through the courtyard.
Then came Mr. Moses, Sam's father, tall, dignified, with streaks of gray already in his hair and the quiet authority of a man who had weathered life's storms.
He stepped forward calmly, and Sam straightened instinctively before bowing slightly and hugging him.
"Papa," Sam said softly.
"Welcome home, son," Mr. Moses replied, his voice deep but laced with pride. "You've made Nigeria proud".
As a pro Barcelona and Nigerian football fan himself, though Nigeria stumbled at the last stage of the World Cup, still, last season was the most memorable football season of this middle-aged man's life.
…
Inside the mansion, the living room buzzed with warmth.
Large portraits of Sam's career highlights hung proudly on the walls.
As they settled in, the front door opened again, and in walked Ian, Sam's childhood best friend, now dressed sharply in a crisp shirt and slacks, medical textbooks under his arm.
"Ian!" Sam shouted, springing up and hugging him fiercely. "My man!" He said, his joy uncontained on seeing his best friend again after so long.
"Look at you, you crazy football genius," Ian laughed, shaking his head. "From sharing one loaf of bread in Abraka to owning Europe. Unreal!"
Sam grinned. "And look at you! Winning awards in England like it's nothing. Top medical student, right?"
Ian shrugged, smiling. "All thanks to you. If you hadn't sponsored me to med school, I'd still be hustling back home. I owe you everything".
Sam waved it off. "We're brothers. That's what we do".
"Besides, I owe you everything too".
When Ian looked at him dubiously, Sam laughed. "Have you forgotten all those time you covered for me while I snuck out of class to go play football?"
Ian threw a subtle glance at Mrs. Moses who rolled her eyes at his reaction. He coughed. "Ah, yes, I didn't forget".
Sam laughed.
As they gathered around the dining table, Mrs. Moses suddenly clapped her hands, turning to Kayla.
"Let me tell you," she said dramatically, "this boy almost killed me with wahala when he was small. He broke his leg playing football".
"Eh, God saved me that day!" She threw her hands in the air. "Blood everywhere! I said, 'No more football in this house! My son will be a doctor or lawyer, not chasing one round leather nonsense!"
Everyone burst into laughter as Sam covered his face.
Ian chimed in, grinning. "Mama even locked up his boots for three months!"
"Till she burnt them". Sam added, staring at his mom indignantly.
She wagged her finger at him. "Yes, I did! And look at you now, see what disobedience caused. Now every child in Nigeria wants to break their leg and be like Samuel Moses!"
Kayla giggled while Sophia filmed the whole thing for her social media, already captioning it, "Mama Moses roasts the Football God".
…
Later that night, after the laughter and dinner had faded, Sam found his father sitting on the back veranda, sipping tea as the city lights glittered below.
Sam joined him, silence stretching comfortably between them.
"Papa," Sam began, voice low, "I want to tell you my plan".
Mr. Moses set down his cup, nodding for him to continue.
"I'm starting a football academy in Abraka," Sam said. "Not just a camp, a proper academy with world-class facilities and direct connections to Europe".
"I want kids like me to have a clear path to greatness, without luck being the only ticket out".
His father listened intently as Sam leaned forward. "But I can't run it myself. I need someone who understands our people, who knows the values I grew up with. I want you to take charge of it".
Mr. Moses's eyes softened, a mix of pride and gravity.
"Samuel… that's a big responsibility," he said slowly.
"I know," Sam replied. "That's why I trust only you. And I have one request; bring in Coach James and Coach Yemi Daniel to help run it. They believed in me before anyone else did. I want them to shape the next generation".
Silence hung for a moment before Mr. Moses nodded firmly. "It will be done. We will build something that lasts longer than trophies. Something that changes lives".
Sam exhaled, relief washing over him. "Thank you, Papa".
His father placed a steady hand on his shoulder. "You've brought pride to this family and this country, Samuel. Now you'll bring hope".
"That… is true legacy".
From inside, Mrs. Moses's voice rang out, scolding Sophia for staying up late, Ian laughing in the background. Sam looked toward the warm glow of the mansion, heart swelling.
For the first time in months, he felt at peace.
And now, with his father, his coaches, and his childhood best friend, he was ready to give back.