The Abuja air still buzzed with the echoes of Brazil's visit. Newspapers screamed headlines like ["Sam Crowned in Abuja"] and ["Ballon d'Or Brilliance"], while social media flooded with clips of his rabona, his elastico, and his crown celebration.
But football never paused.
The international break encompassed 2 games for Nigeria. First was the friendly game against Brazil, and the other was a World Cup qualifier game.
Three days later, Nigeria lined up again, this time against Sierra Leone. The glamour was gone, the names unknown, but the stakes remained.
At the Super Eagles camp, players joked over breakfast. Osimhen drummed his fingers against the table, teasing.
"Sam, Brazil was cute, but against Sierra Leone? If you don't score three, I'm not talking to you again".
Sam rolled his eyes. "You're supposed to be the striker".
"Today, I'm just your assistant," Osimhen grinned, not ashamed at all. "We all came to see your show".
