Rise of a Football God-Chapter 468: A royal spectacle in Abuja

What follows after a romantic wedding in Barcelona?

A honeymoon, right? That's what the normal European guy would think, but not a Nigerian, not a Nigerian with living Nigerian parents.

The decision to have the wedding in Barcelona never sat well with Mrs. Moses, but she had enough tact to not intrude too much in her son's love life.

But even at that, she knew what she wanted for her son.

Just as her son and his wife envisioned a romantic wedding and implemented it, she also had ideas about how her son's marriage ceremony should be like; Nigerian style, grandiose, and filled with Asoebis.

Aso ebi is a famous Nigerian term, Yoruba language specifically.

It translates to family cloth in English. It's a tradition in some West African cultures, particularly in Nigeria where a group of people wear matching or similar outfits, typically made from a specific fabric at an event to show solidarity and unity.

Mrs. Moses wanted to wear Asoebi for her son's marriage.

Well, Sam also bought into the idea. He wanted to make his marriage and unforgettable one and so he let his mother plan.

It happened the next day after the wedding in Barcelona.

That night, they all traveled back to Nigeria.

…

4th June, 2026.

The location was a luxury event hall in Abuja, Nigeria, and the theme of the day is 'Unity in Heritage', a grand Igbo-Yoruba, and most especially Isoko celebration with southern elegance.

There were over 500 guest in attendance, ranging from Sam's family to Kayla's relatives, Barcelona teammates, Nollywood and Afrobeats royalty to African footballing legends, and dignitaries.

If Sam still doubted how famous he was in the world, with this event, all his doubt evaporated. Celebrities responded to his invitation in droves.

The venue was an A-Class Park and Event Center, nestled in the heart of Abuja. But for this night, it became a palace of tradition and triumph.

At the gates, horses adorned in royal fabrics stood in attention, part of a northern calvary-style welcome.

Guests walked in on a long red carpet flanked by dancers in traditional attire; Fulani, igbo, Yoruba, and Isoko, all performing different cultural steps to the rhythmic beat of bata, gangan, and ogene drums.

Inside, the hall was transformed.

The décor fused gold, emerald green, and rich maroon, symbolizing royalty, prosperity, and love.

Gigantic chandeliers hung above, surrounded by palm fronds and intricate bead-laced centerpieces.

LED screens played highlights of Sam's season, the legendary UEFA champions league run, and moments with Kayla.

The stage prepared for the couple was shaped like a traditional throne, backed with floral arches and bead-crafted initials; S & K.

And then, the grand entrance…

Sam and Kayla arrived not in a car, but in a traditional palanquin, carried in by men dressed as royal guards to the sound of ululations, shouts of "Ovie!", and drums shaking the ground.

Sam was dressed line an Isoko prince; wine-red George wrapper, luxurious white laced shirt, red cap, and a golden staff. Around his neck, the heaviest coral beads gleamed like war medals.

Lamine Yamal beamed with endless fascination seeing the attire of his friend as he kept on taking pictures with a big smile on his face.

As for Kayla? She wore a dazzling golden blouse, two wrappers; one draped and one wrapped, a head tie, and coral beads.

Her smile? Pure pride and love. She was regal, queen of the continent for a day; it was her day.

At first, it was uncomfortable but her endless fascination beat it.

She was glad to be Sam's queen of the world for tonight.

They descended to the floor as Flavour performed 'Ada Ada', followed by KCee's 'Limpopo', and the crowd went wild.

Even Barcelona players in attendance; Lewandowski, Pedri, Hansi Flick, and a few others were dressed in custom agbadas and tried their best dancing as naira, dollars, and euros rained from above.

It was crazy, and endlessly grandiose.

And most importantly, it was a feast.

The menu was a five-star buffet that celebrated Nigeria's diverse cuisine.

From the South, there was Oha soup, banga, jollof rice, goat meat, and ukwa. From the West, there was Amala with gbegiri and ewedu, asun, puff puff. From the North, there was Tuwo shinkafa with miyan kuka, kilishi, and masa.

Desserts featured plantain mosa, zobo cocktails, tiger nut smoothies, and palm wine in carved wooden cups.

It was beyond luxurious.

And then, the special guests took the show.

Burna Boy lit up the night with some of his hit songs, 'Last Last', 'Sittin' on Top of the World', and 'For My Hand', dominating the list.

Davido and Tiwa Savage performed a duet remix of 'Jowo'.

Victor Osimhen, Jay Jay Okocha, and Kanu Nwankwo were also spotted spraying cash on Sam and doing legwork to an explosion of cheers.

Nollywood stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and Funke Akindele also graced the occasion, seated in front row seats.

The highlight of the night was the traditional wine carrying ceremony, where Kayla knelt before Sam with a cup of palm wine and found her husband among the crowd. She offered him the cup; he drank, then lifted her up in joy to the cheer of the entire hall.

Sam's mother gave an emotional speech in Isoko, thanking God, the ancestors, and the land for blessing her son and for bringing Kayla into their lives.

Of course, she spoke of Kayla glowingly.

She always loved her from day one.

Kayla's family responded in English, mixing in some awkward Isoko to laughs and applause from the audience, invoking joy and eternal peace upon the couple.

And then, the finale.

As the night reached its climax, fireworks burst into the Abuja sky, painting it in gold and green. From the heart of Nigeria, Sam and Kayla's love story echoed across the continent.

And a certain YouTube had new content for his YouTube channel.

It was a celebration of roots, unity, and the beauty of coming home.

And deep in Sam's heart, as he looked around at his people, his heritage, his wife… it all felt right.

It was more than a wedding.

It was a coronation.