A performance for the ages [2]

That goal definitely rattled some nerves.

No one saw it coming, it was unexpected and against the run of play, coming from a moment of individual brilliance from the in-form attacking midfielder.

The noise in the stadium rose up a notch as the riled up Plateau United fans went all-in behind their team, eager to support them on the pitch.

They were determined to win also, maybe even more so for the bragging rights. Football fans enjoyed bragging with their clubs, mostly when they won against their bitter rivals.

And in the Nigerian professional football league, Enyimba FC and Plateau United were footballing rivals.

Plateau United restarted the game in the 71st minute but immediately, it was clear that Sam was not cooling down yet as he ran everywhere.

This midfielder's incredible performance was beautiful and should be appreciated if only he was not playing in away ground.

Every time that Sam won the ball, intercepted a pass, blocked a shot, or made an incredible play on the pitch, it irked the Plateau United fans.

BOOOOO!

Sam was subjected to an ocean of boos but he was unfazed.

Plateau United was still the team dominating possession after the game continued but yet, Enyimba FC came closest, Sam pulling the strings again as he unleashed another outside the box shot that rattled off the post.

Tensions rose in this stadium.

BOOO!

The fans kept on playing their own part in this incredible battle and finally, in the 81st minute of the game, their relentless energy finally paid off.

After receiving a pass from midfield, the Plateau United right winger drove deep with the ball through the right side of the pitch and after beating his man threw a dangerous cross in.

The cross started everything, kick starting a chaotic scramble for the ball in the Enyimba FC box and it was in this chaos when the dangerous Plateau United striker managed to poke the ball into the net.

Ojo stood rooted to the spot, he didn't even see the ball coming.

"GOALLLL…!" Jos International Stadium roared to life again, the ecstatic fans voicing out their euphoria loudly.

3-2 to Plateau United in the 81st minute!

The players celebrated wildly.

FWEEEE!

Just a minute after the referee's whistle sounded though to continue play, Jos International Stadium became as quiet as a church.

Austin passed the ball to Sam who passed to Victor in the right wing. Victor bombed down the Plateau United half with speed through the right, before cutting a pass back into the midfield close to the box.

As soon as the ball was hit, Sam erupted with incredible agility, getting to the ball first as he gently nudged it with the outside of his right boot past the closest Plateau United player, then he raised his head and took a glance at goal.

POW!

That was exactly how the ball sounded as his leg struck it with venom!

Like a missile, this rotating ball rushed through the green grass, sending a few flying as with needle accuracy, it tore into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Plateau United goalkeeper dived but he stood no chance.

A rocket shot, an incredible goal.

"What a goal!" The commentators were already going crazy. "Damn! Samuel Moses truly is in the mood today!"

"2 goals within 2 minutes! What a game this is turning out to be!"

"This teenager is singlehandedly lifting the mighty Enyimba on the pitch today!"

BOOO!

The boos from the Plateau United fans resumed immediately after the silence. In response, Sam pumped a fist in the air at them in defiance.

He was already in villain mode.

In the 82nd minute of the game, the game was tied again 3-3.

In the bench, Coach Yemi Daniel's assistant had a conversation with him. "Don't you think it's time to bring Olisema on?"

Coach Yemi turned to look at his assistant with an 'are you mad?' look on his face. "Are you for real? Are you seeing the kind of form that boy is in?"

"I'd be a fool to take him off now!"

"But what about humility?"

"F*ck humility!"

FWEEEE!

The game continued.

For the final 8 minutes of this second half before the 90th minute, the players of both teams seemed to have collectively decided to go all-out attack.

Attacking raid after attacking raid were launched by both teams, somehow mostly created and executed by their midfielders.

The midfielders of both teams were on top of their game but despite all of them shining, a teenager was still the one who shone brightest, Samuel Moses.

Sam out-staged every other player in the midfield battle.

For the last 8 minutes, even as he created for his teammates amid the chaos and hostile atmosphere, he also had his moments as the closest he came was from a header and a volley shot that flashed just by the post.

And finally, 90 minutes of this intense game was over.

The referee added an incredible 7 minutes to the game. 7 more minutes to war, 7 more minutes to die for.

The players kept on playing like the game was a war and they were the soldiers, putting their body on the line to block sure goal-scoring chances while also threatening at the other end.

In the end though, fortune favors the bold as in the 90th plus 5 minute, Plateau United got their clearest chance since the score was tied 3-3.

Somehow managing to catch the Enyimba FC defenders off-guard, the star Plateau United center midfielder played a defense-splitting through pass for his striker to run into as this tall striker outran the defenders.

He arrived at the ball first but Ojo read the danger fast as this goalkeeper already rushed out with speed, making his body as big as possible.

Bam!

The stadium held collective breaths as the Plateau United striker took his shot, Ojo closed his eyes and in a moment of luck, the ball hit him on his chest, ricocheting off as the nearest players immediately scrambled for the ball.

The closest Plateau United player tried to sneak in a shot but outmuscling him, Adekunle, the huge Enyimba center back awkwardly cleared the ball.

The ball landed just outside the Enyimba 18-yard box, in a vacant space unoccupied by players and the first person to react was Sam.

Most of the Plateau United players were already in Enyimba FC's half, all pushing up field, desperately seeking the winning goal.

Due to this, Sam had just 1 defender ahead of him to beat if he decided to run with the ball.

He didn't decide to run with it though, instead stealing a glance up field, Sam noticed the Plateau United goalkeeper slightly off his lines.

That was all he needed to see.

Digging into his reserves, Sam charged towards this ball and then, he hit it first time with his right foot with all the power that he could muster into the shot.

BAM!

The sound reverberated like a gunshot, the ball rose into the air with speed, dipped as the Plateau United goalkeeper charged back to his post before falling into an empty net.

The goalkeeper could not make it back in time.

In the 90th plus 5 minute, Sam scored again to make the score line 3-4, completing his hat trick in the most ridiculous of circumstances.

"…!"