Rise of a Football God-Chapter 389: A penalty shootout

The Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat was as its absolute boiling point.

120 minutes of sheer war, six goals split between two African footballing giants, and yet no winner.

It was a game unlike any other.

The final whistle of extra-time had blown, but there was no relief; only the nerve-wracking dread of a penalty shootout.

The nerves among the fans were at their highest.

At this point, both sets of fans had to agree that the game was now out of their hands. A penalty shootout was a 50/50 gamble, any side could win it at this point; and the fans could not help but feel tense.

Fans, players, coaches, everyone knew what was at stake.

A ticket to the final. Glory or heartbreak.

The stadium, once a deafening inferno of chants had settled into an eerie tension as the players converged around their coaches, the 2 coaches already going over his penalty lineup with their players.

This was the moment of truth.

Some fans couldn't watch. Others clutched their heads. Prayers filled the air.

Now, it was time. The referee handed the ball to the first taker. The moment of reckoning had arrived.

Senegal's captain, Kalidou Koulibaly stepped up first.

Stanley Nwabali, the Nigerian goalkeeper tried a few subtle antics to get into the head of his opponent but Koulibaly was having none of it.

Ice-cold, he sent Nwabali the wrong way, burying the ball into the bottom left corner. 1-0, Senegal.

BOOM!

Senegalese fans roared in ecstasy and relief.

But then…, Sam took the ball.

"…!"

The stadium fell into shocked silence, the commentators reacted.

"Wow…, Sam is Nigeria's first penalty taker!" The shock could be heard in their voices.

"Wow, nobody saw this coming, what a bold decision from Eric Chelle".

"Yes, we all know the boy is good. Everybody with an eye can see just how talented Sam is, but people often forget that the boy is still a teenager".

"In a penalty shootout at the semifinal of the AFCON tournament, to make him the first taker, don't you think that's too much for his age?"

"This is literally his first AFCON!"

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"It's a gamble from Eric Chelle!"

"Sam is well-known for his mamba mentality approach to football. Tonight will be one of his ultimate tests, prove your mentality in the biggest of stages!"

"Will the young genius crumble under pressure, or will he thrive?"

Confidently, after taking the ball Sam swaggered to the penalty spot.

Edouard Mendy stared the 20-year-old down, looking into his eyes with intensity, trying to intimidate him but Sam only smirked in reply.

The stadium was as silent as a church.

"Sam vs Edouard Mendy, who shall prevail?"

A deep breath, a powerful run-up, and Sam rifled the ball with immense power, straight down the middle of the post.

Edouard Mendy dived left.

1-1!

"And he scored!"

"Nerves of steel, Sam!"

Sam pumped a fist in celebration at the fans, growling slightly.

And well, that penalty set the tone for the rest of the shootout. 2 talisman for both countries scored, and both nations were infused with confidence.

The second round…

Senegal's Ismaila Sarr went up. His shot was nearly perfect; Nwabali dived the right way but couldn't reach it. 2-1, Senegal.

Nigeria's response? Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who had been electric all tournament stepped up. His shot was clinical, the bottom right corner, leaving no chance for Mendy. 2-2.

The third round…

Boulaye Dia for Senegal. Calm as you like, he dinked it cheekily down the middle as Nwabali committed early.

The audacity! 3-2, Senegal.

But Kelechi Iheanacho was not to be outdone. A short stutter in his run-up, then a side-footed strike. Mendy got fingertips on it, but it was in! 3-3.

The fourth round…

Senegal's Idrissa Gueye walked up. Experience on his side, the midfielder struck it confidently. No mistake. 4-3, Senegal.

For Nigeria, Viktor Boniface took responsibility. The pressure was immense, but he sent Mendy the wrong way. 4-4.

The fifth round, the decisive moment…

This was it.

If Senegal scored, Nigeria would have to score to stay alive. If Senegal missed, Nigeria could win it with their next shot.

Pape Matar Sarr, the Senegalese midfielder stepped up and placed the ball down. He exhaled. The tension was unbearable.

He took his shot, and Nwabali guessed right!

Whoosh!

A full-stretch dive to his left. The ball was parried away! SENEGAL HAD MISSED!

BOOM!

The Nigerian end of the stadium quickly erupted in chaos, but it wasn't over yet. Nigeria still had to convert.

The final shot…

With a nation holding its breath, who would take Nigeria's final penalty?

Stanley Nwabali!

Eric Chelle was pulling moves right out of George R.R Martin's a Song of Ice and Fire!

Yes, the Nigerian coach sent out his goalkeeper.

The hero of the night now had the chance to seal it himself.

The goalkeeper picked up the ball, walked to the spot. The weight of history was now on his shoulders.

BOOOOOO!

The Senegalese fans booed, trying to rattle him. Opposite him, Mendy stood tall, ready for anything.

Nwabali took a deep breath. One step back, two, three, and then…

FWEEEE!

The referee blew his whistle.

Stanley Nwabali ran up… a smooth, composed strike…

Bam!

Silence, for a second, and then…

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL…!!!!"

BOTTOM CORNER. MENDY BEATEN. GAME OVER!

The stadium exploded!

Nigerian players stormed the pitch. The bench emptied in a blur of green and white as they rushed to mob Nwabali, their savior, their warrior.

Osimhen tackled him to the ground. Iheanacho leapt onto his back. The fans in the stands went berserk, screaming, crying dancing.

It was mad euphoria on the pitch.

On the other side, Senegal's players collapsed in devastation. Some fell to their knees; others buried their faces in their jerseys. The dream had ended in the cruelest way possible.

Tonight was a night for the ages.

Nigeria had survived the battle of death, the clash of titans.

Nwabali, goalkeeper, hero, legend had etched his name into AFCON immortality and Nigerian footballing folklore.

As the Super Eagles celebrated, Africa knew it had witnessed one of the greatest semifinals in the history of the tournament.