Later, Adaeze stepped into the newsroom's press prep room, a small, functional space tucked behind the main floor. Shelves held extra press badges, cables, and camera gear, while a mirror and a few hooks let reporters freshen up before heading out. She changed into a crisp white blouse and black trousers, tied her long, wavy hair into a loose ponytail, and slung her well-organised crossbody bag across her shoulder. Her camera hung ready around her neck, and her press badge was clipped securely. She tucked her notepad deep into the bag as a backup and made sure her tablet was easy to reach.
When she left the newsroom and arrived at Onikan Stadium, the press session was already in full swing. The field shimmered under the afternoon sun as players jogged lightly, answered questions from reporters, tossed balls back and forth, and posed for quick photos. Coaches weaved between them, calling out instructions or demonstrating drills. Cameras flashed in rapid bursts, microphones bobbed up and down as journalists leaned in for answers, and a steady murmur of chatter and typing filled the air, mixing with the squeak of players' shoes on the grass and the soft thump of balls hitting the ground.
Adaeze adjusted her press badge and entered through the media gate. The field stretched before her, a wide carpet of green under the sharp afternoon sun.
She found her seat among other journalists. The man beside her, older, with a calm, experienced air, gave a knowing smile. His press badge caught her eye: Bola Adebayo – Nightengale Newspapers.
'First time at a big session?'
'No. I've covered press sessions before, but never with a group this focused,' she said politely.
He chuckled. 'Get used to it. Football is the heartbeat of Nigeria.'
Adaeze raised her camera and zoomed in. Number 9 for Nightengale United jogged across the field with effortless grace, muscles moving under his jersey, eyes alert and sharp.
A voice boomed over the stadium public address system: 'Izunna Obieze, the fans' favourite!'
A small, excited smile spread across Adaeze's face at the mention of his name. She had watched him play countless times on TV, read about his skills, and now she was seeing him live. She quickly lowered the camera to jot down a few notes on her tablet, then lifted it again to capture another angle. She moved seamlessly between photographing and typing, recording details: the goalkeeper adjusting his gloves before each answer, the defender's nervous laugh at certain questions, and the coach's sharp gaze following every movement. The cameras flashed, reporters' microphones moved up and down, and the soft murmur of people talking filled the field.
By the end of the session, she had dozens of photos, several short quotes, and a clear sense of the players' personalities. The tournament hadn't started yet, but she already had enough material to build compelling stories.