BLOOD AND NAIRA**
The stadium lights flickered to life as Ibukun approached the locker room, his stomach growling from the single boiled egg he'd eaten for breakfast. Coach Bello's sharp whistle cut through the pre-match chatter.
"Kid. My office. Now."
---
### **THE COACH'S OFFICE**
Bello slid an envelope across the desk. "Your first salary. ₦85,000. Don't spend it on stupid shit."
Ibukun's fingers trembled as he counted the bills - real money for the first time in his life. The coach leaned forward, voice dropping to a growl.
"Listen carefully. Want to earn more? Here's how:"
1. **Goal Bonus:** ₦5,000 per goal
2. **Assist Bonus:** ₦2,500
3. **Clean Sheet (for team):** ₦3,000
4. **Man of the Match:** ₦10,000
"Play like a demon today and you might actually pay your grandmother's rent this month."
---
### **STADIUM ATMOSPHERE**
The Lagos National Stadium buzzed like a beehive. Vendors hawked roasted corn and bottled Fanta in the stands. A local Fuji band set up near the corner flag, their talking drum setting the rhythm for the match. Ibukun could smell the menthol ointment from the massage table mixing with the earthy scent of freshly cut grass.
"Look at these Kano boys!" Tolu pointed at their opponents warming up. "They think they're Premier League stars!"
The Kano Storm players did indeed look polished in their pristine kits, their physios stretching them with expensive-looking equipment. Ibukun tightened the laces on his battered boots - one black, one blue, both salvaged from the club's discard pile.
---
### **FIRST HALF: WAR OF ATTRITION**
From the opening whistle, Kano came flying in. Their captain Ibrahim - a 6'3" center-back with tribal marks carved into his cheeks - made his intentions clear with a "welcome" tackle that left Ibukun's ankle throbbing.
**25th Minute - First Real Chance**
Ibukun intercepted a lazy pass, driving forward like a madman. He:
1. Nutmegged the defensive midfielder
2. Pushed the ball past the right-back
3. Cut inside toward goal...
Only for Ibrahim to clothesline him with a "challenge" that belonged more on a wrestling mat.
*"Welcome to men's football, baby!"* Ibrahim sneered as the referee inexplicably waved play on.
The Fuji drummers increased their tempo, their chants urging Ibukun to retaliate. But he remembered his grandmother's medicine money. Revenge would come through the scoreline.
**38th Minute - Missed Opportunity**
Musa's perfect through ball sent Ibukun clear. The entire stadium rose as he rounded the keeper...
*CLANG!*
The shot ricocheted off the post. The collective groan could be heard three blocks away.
---
### **SECOND HALF: REDEMPTION**
Coach Bello's halftime talk was characteristically brief: "Stop being fucking polite."
**53rd Minute - The Breakthrough**
Ibukun received the ball near the touchline, immediately surrounded by three opponents. What happened next silenced the drums momentarily:
1. A Cruyff turn left the first defender stumbling
2. A sudden burst of pace burned the second
3. A shoulder drop froze Ibrahim in his tracks
4. The thunderous finish nearly tore through the net
**GOAL! Lagos 1-0**
The Fuji band erupted. Market women in the stands danced with their wares still balanced on their heads. Ibukun ran straight to the bench, making the "money" sign at Coach Bello.
**67th Minute - The Insurance**
Kano pushed forward recklessly. Ibukun pounced on a defensive error, driving into the box before being upended.
*PENALTY!*
The Kano players protested violently as Ibukun placed the ball. Their goalkeeper tried every trick:
- Kicking the posts
- Adjusting gloves endlessly
- Pointing to random spots in the net
Ibukun simply stared at his tattered right boot - the one with the cracked sole that had needed glueing three times. He exhaled...
**GOAL! Lagos 2-0**
The drums reached fever pitch. Even the stadium security guards were dancing now.
**89th Minute - Grit**
Kano pulled one back through a dubious penalty of their own. The final minutes were trench warfare - Ibukun tracking back to make two crucial clearances, his jersey torn, legs cramping, but that bonus money clear in his mind.
**FINAL: Lagos 2-1**
---
### **POST-MATCH**
The locker room smelled of sweat and liniment. Coach Bello tossed Ibukun another envelope.
"Breakdown:
- 2 goals: ₦10,000
- MOTM: ₦10,000
- Win bonus: ₦5,000
Total: ₦25,000"
Across the room, Kola muttered about "favoritism." Ibukun didn't care. He was already calculating:
- ₦15,000 for Grandma's medicine
- ₦5,000 toward their back rent
- ₦5,000 saved for new boots
As he left the stadium, a group of street kids called his name. One held out a pen and paper. For the first time in his life, Ibukun signed an autograph.
The System's notification glowed that night:
***"Organic Growth Detected***
- Finishing: B → B+
- Composure: C+ → B
- Local Fanbase: 18% → 35%"
But the real reward was the crisp bills under his mattress - and his grandmother's smile when he gave her the medicine.