Capítulo 23: Preparations for a new football season
"Dad, why is the Nigerian professional football league just starting next month?"
Moses didn't look at his son first, rather he threw the first glance at his wife. Sarah reacted like she didn't notice her husband's look at all.
And then, taking a bite from the chicken on his plate, this man swallowed before answering his son. "This is Nigeria son, that's the answer".
"Really?" Sam asked, skeptical.
Moses nodded. "A typical NPFL season starts around August or September and ends around May or June of the following year. Of course, the exact schedule varies slightly depending on certain factors".
"This time, the drastic change is primarily due to administrative and logistical challenges within the league. The league has faced disruptions in recent years, including scheduling difficulties and organizational changes within the management".
"It's all money Sam, that's why I said the answer is Nigeria".
"Besides, I once read that the delays are also because of the need to align the domestic league schedule with international competitions, who knows?"
"Anyways, the delayed start should allow the league to be better prepared for a long season. It also means this season calendar will be shorter than previous seasons".
"Ok, that's enough football talk," Sarah finally bumped into the conversation. "Table manners," she stressed, "let's focus on our food".
After 26th, the days moved fast for Sam as he continued diligently completing his daily system quest tasks while also regularly hitting the gym.
Before the new year, Sam's efforts were rewarded as his pace attribute increased by +2 while his physicality attribute increased by +3. This took his overall rating through a crazy jump, jumping all the way from 68 to 70.
Finally, his overall rating was no longer gray, now showing yellow.
It didn't mean much but to Sam, it felt like a big achievement and it also served as more motivation for him to work harder.
This was an advantage that he had over every other football player in the world. Unlike them, with his system, he could keep real-time track of his attributes, including how much he was improving or if he was stagnating.
This real-time tracking was doing a whole lot of good to his confidence.
Now, his attributes looked like this.
~---~
Player Attributes:
*Pace: 72
*Shot: 69
*Pass: 74
*Dribbling: 66
*Defending: 33
*Physicality: 63
*Stamina: 78
Overall Rating: 70
~----~
Sam celebrated the occasion by treating himself, buying a Barbeque fish and complementing it with a bottle of Hollandia yoghurt.
New years' celebration was pretty muted in his home. The whole family stayed at home, taking advantage of the constant light to watch family shows through most of the day.
They didn't go out but still, it was an enjoyable experience.
And finally, it was 2023.
By now, Sam looked entirely unrecognizable from how he was just 2 weeks ago. All his belly fat was gone, replaced by lean muscles and a fit shape.
His body was in tip-top condition.
"Damn, I'm handsome," he muttered as he stared at the mirror in his room after just taking his bath.
By now, he already resigned from his internship work in the pharmacy and with his dad working with Coach Yemi Daniel, he was to travel to Abia State by 8th January. His dad would take him there personally.
8th felt far at first but focused on different tasks, the days moved forward swiftly like the flipping pages of a book when engrossed in a good story and before Sam knew it, it was the D-day already.
Just a day ago, another of Sam's attributes improved again. It was the physicality attribute again, increasing by a figure of +1.
~----~
*Physicality: 64
~----~
…
8th January, 2023…
…
Sam could not believe what he was seeing. 'Dammit mom, I'm not traveling abroad yet, I'm just going to Abia State'. He thought exasperatedly.
His mom was not having it though as she wiped her tears, glaring at him. "Kneel down my son, let me pray for you".
Sam threw a glance at his dad who conveniently ignored his plight before kneeling. His best friend who also came that morning for the occasion held back a stifled laugh as it happened.
"In Jesus name," she started praying, her eyes fervently closed. "My son, as you go out there, no powers of the enemy shall overpower you".
"Your haters, does that want your downfall, they shall fall in your place".
"You shall go there for exploits".
"You dad said your contract can be improved. As you go there, you are favored, your contract shall be improved, you shall earn even more money".
"As you play football, injuries are far away from you".
"You shall be the best among your peers, this and others I pray for in Jesus mighty name".
"Amen". The others chorused in agreement.
Sarah glared at her son. "Come on, say amen!"
"Amen". Sam said.
And with that, she hugged him, kissing him repeatedly on the forehead before sending him off with his dad to Abia State. Ian followed on the journey; he would return with Mr. Moses in 2 days.
Arriving at Abia State after a long journey that took over 6 hours on the road, his dad driving an incredible distance of 300+ kilometers, Sam was introduced to the club hierarchy as he was led by his coach.
He was also led to the guest quarters where a 1-bedroom apartment was allocated for him, it was his apartment for the foreseeable future.
Mr. Moses inspected everything and approved.
The next day, 9th January, for the first time in his life, Sam was introduced to the home stadium of Enyimba FC, the Enyimba International Stadium that was located in the city of Aba here in Abia State.
There, he finally met his teammates on the pitch for the first time as they did the introductions after which he trained with them for the very first time on a football pitch.
Of course, the one player that Sam paid attention to was the player occupying his preferred position, the attacking midfield position.
The 23-year-old player was the attacking midfielder of Enyimba FC.
And for the first time, Sam finally got the opportunity to make use of his snooping tool on a professional football player.
~----~
[You have made use of Snooping Tool!]
Player Name: Cyril Olisema
Age: 23
Current Career Status: NPFL player
Talent Rating: D-
Player Position: Attacking Midfield
Player Attributes:
*Pace: 70
*Shot: 65
*Pass: 71
*Dribbling: 68
*Defending: 47
*Physicality: 65
*Stamina: 67
Overall Rating: 69
[NOTE: To access the skills of players and their respective masteries, upgrade Snooping tool to level 2]
[Snooping Tool upgrade requirement: Level system to level 3]
~----~
The first thing that came to Sam's mind was, 'damn! I'm better than him'.
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