(Matchday 1:)
>Akwa United 0-2 Bendel Insurance<
>Date: 08 Jan, 2023<
…
>Nasarawa United 1-3 Enyimba<
>Date: 14 Jan, 2023<
…
>Enugu Rangers 0-2 Abia Warriors<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
>Plateau United 3-3 Shooting Stars<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
>Kwara United 0-0 Gombe United<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
>Remo Stars 2-0 El Kanemi Warriors FC<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
>Bayelsa United 1-1 Dakkada<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
>Wikki Tourist 0-2 Niger Tornadoes<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
>Doma United 1-1 Sunshine Stars<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
>Rivers United 2-1 Lobi Stars<
>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<
…
(Matchday 2:)
>Abia Warriors – Bayelsa United<
>Date: 18 Jan, 2023<
…
>Lobi Stars – Enugu Rangers<
>Date: 18 Jan, 2023<
…
>Dakkada – Wikki Tourist<
>Date: 18 Jan, 2023<
…
>Enyimba – Akwa United<
>Date: 18 Jan, 2023<
…
>Sunshine Stars – Rivers United<
>Date: 19 Jan, 2023<
…
>Niger Tornadoes – Doma United<
>Date: 19 Jan, 2023<
…
>El Kanemi Warriors FC – Nasarawa United<
>Date: 19 Jan, 2023<
…
>Gombe United – Remo Stars<
>Date: 19 Jan, 2023<
…
>Shooting Stars – Kwara United<
>Date: 19 Jan, 2023<
Due to the weird schedule of the Nigerian Professional Football league this season, Enyimba FC did not have any cup games to play till June which meant that they had up to 4 days of rest between most league games.
After yesterday's game, they had just 3 more days to prepare for their next game against Akwa United. Coach Yemi Daniel sending his players the matchday fixtures was already part of his early preparations for the game.
Thankfully, this game was at home which meant that Sam would have to struggle with the hassle of the road again.
After returning back to Abia State from Nasarawa, Coach Yemi Daniel addressed his players, telling them to rest properly to recover their fitness for tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, training would commence again.
And with that, Sam could finally return to his apartment in the guest quarters that was provided by his club.
Of course, that was after exchanging contact details with a few of his teammates.
After his performance yesterday, and with the interest that the captain took on him, more of his teammates took the initiative to build a closer relationship with him.
This was how he suddenly had the contact of more than 10 players in the squad of Enyimba FC.
Returning to his apartment, Sam did some light exercise to let his muscles relax. After every game, mostly in the top 5 big European leagues, professionals go through post-match recovery processes.
This was to combat fatigue so they could start fresh for their next game.
After going through these light exercises that were recommended by the coach, Sam went to the bathroom, took a swift bath before laying down on his bed.
He thought back on the experience of yesterday, his first professional football game and then with a big smile on his face, he picked up his android phone.
It was time to make a video call.
It took a lot for Mrs. Moses to allow her 17-year-old son to leave home to pursue his dream and career as a professional football player. Even with the money involved, she was still not entirely safe letting him go till she set a few ground rules.
To let Sam have his wish to pursue his dream, she put certain ground rules in place. One of these ground rules was Sam endeavoring to put a video call across after every football game.
Sam was unable to put the call across yesterday due to the heightened emotions of his first game, and due to staying in the same room with his captain but today, he was finally ready to put in the call.
He dialed through his WhatsApp.
{Outgoing video call to Best Mom…}
…
Somewhere in Delta State, Abraka, in a humble 3-bedroom apartment, a family of 3 gathered in the sitting room excitedly as they all faced an iPhone 12 pro max that was placed on a phone stand facing them.
"Sam is calling!" Sophia cheered excitedly.
"Shut up!" Her mom snapped. "When your brother was here, you were never so excited by his presence, shut up and let us answer the call".
Sophia glared at her mom and pouted, she stayed silent.
"Good". Nodding, Mrs. Moses gave the signal and her husband finally picked up the video call. There was a brief glitch before Sam appeared on the screen.
"Sam!" Sophia screeched excitedly on seeing her brother, spooking him out. "I watched you yesterday, you managed to give an assist! You're so awesome!"
On the other side of the screen, Sam paused, shocked. 'When did Sophia begin watching football? Did they watch the game because of me?'
Mr. Moses grinned. "Sam, my boy, you're making your dad proud. When you ghosted that sliding player with the gentle heel touch and drag, you made daddy proud, I can't stop bragging to my friends about it!" He laughed loudly.
"Getting a goal contribution on your first professional game is impressive son, keep it up, I can't wait to see you force your way into the starting 11".
"I can't wait too dad," Sam finally spoke, also excited. "How are you guys doing since I left?"
Mrs. Moses interrupted at this moment. "I hope after that goal distribution, or what did your dad call it?" She waved a hand dismissively. "Anyways, what I mean is that after that goal something, they gave you a bonus right?"
Sam smiled awkwardly. "They didn't mom, it's just my first game".
"What?" Her voice rose up a notch. "The nerve of those employers, I'm going to put a call to your coach right now".
"Woah! Mom, calm down". Sam was sweating bullets. "Please don't, reserve that for when I finally score my first hat trick".
"Oh, yeah, your first hat trick," she nodded in understanding. "So, what is a hat trick?"
"…!"
Sam and his dad paused, looking at each other for a few seconds then they both burst into laughter.
Mrs. Moses scowled. "Are the both of you mocking me?"
"No, no, mock you?" Mr. Moses coughed. "How dare I mock you? I can never mock you".
His wife glared at him before punching him slightly by the shoulder. "I think you should start teaching me about football now. Honestly, watching my son on the TV just felt so nice".
Hearing that, Mr. Moses grinned. "With pleasure, my lady".
Sophia ignored her parents who were already getting all touchy and paid attention to her brother. "Sam, tell me about Nasarawa, how is it?"
"Also, that captain of yours, he's so cool, tell me about him".
Sam stared at his sister suspiciously. "But that's your first time seeing him, right?"
"Yeah, but who cares?" She stared dreamily. "He's so strong, fast, handsome, and dominant on the pitch, he's my…"
"Hey, hey…, stop!" Sam palmed his face. "I'll get an autograph for you if that's what you want, but all this talk about that rubbish, I don't want to hear about it".
The call continued for over 40 minutes as the family of 4 discussed various topics, from important ones to meaningless ones and downright ridiculous ones.
In the end, Sam had a great family time. He felt refreshed already.
And after over 40 minutes of the video call, he finally bid his parents farewell, retreating to sleep finally.
Tomorrow was going to be a big day for him.
It was another day to try his hand at forcing himself into the starting XI of Enyimba FC.
Sam was determined to wow Coach Yemi Daniel.