Must Read:

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read:

She came in with Esther.

I almost lost my step. What on earth was she doing with Ann?

What was this devil planning? I tried to get my mind off her but I
could not. I was determined not to let her ruin my day. “Shoe get
size, Okrika get quality.” I chanted. I was determined to pour all
my mind into this exercise.

As we got to the 28th lap, Coachee informed us that we would
sprint at the next lap. Which one be sprint again? Coachee wan
kill person ni? I wondered . As coached informed us about the
sprint many of the guys began to murmur. I was glad I was not
the only one who felt bad about this. This man wanted us to
commit suicide.

“Nobody dies. You can do it. I say nobody dies!!!” I shouted. The
murmurs died off instantly. I clapped and raised my hands up as
we jogged. They synchronized with me, copying my movements.

In a few seconds we would get to the sprint point and would take
off.

“Kill am small. Reduce one leg.” I commanded and clapped
again. We reduced the jogging pace to almost walking speed. I
gave out instructions on how the sprint would take place. It
would be an organized dash of twos from the back up until it got
to me in front. We got to the goal post and the dash began.

The last two guys, then the next two, then the next. I was the only 1
without a partner. When it got to my turn, I dashed like a mad
man. I was known for my speed and I did not disappoint. I did
better than everyone and even added a few meters. When I met
up with the group again coachee blew his whistle.

We had Emma stretch us out vigorously. Some parts of the
stretching exercise had guys d1cks showing through their shorts.

I turned and looked at Ann. She was busy on her phone. Esther
winked and blew me a kiss.
“I don die today.” I said to myself.
“Na you those fine babes find come ni, Skippo?” Clement asked.
“Mind ya business, Oga.” I snapped.
After the stretch, Coachee informed us that a certain team, Kings
Football Club would want to play us in a friendly. They were
supposed to play another team later in the day but the other team
bailed out. They came from a far distance and the boys were
really eager. He warned that all selected players put in their best
and that those not selected take it in good faith. Clement and
Emma were already smiling. They had automatics shirts. The
rest of us were guessing. Coachee has one kain skoi skoi. Even if
you are his blood, he doesn’t joke with his starting eleven.

Everyone knew this. And you dare not look at him when he is
selecting his players. If he catches you trying to lobby for a place
via eye contact, he would drop you.

Everyone froze as he called out the names.

Dewale, Emma, Muyi,
Segun, Nesta … he called 11 names and mine was not included.

“The rest of you, to the bench.” He barked.

I was pained.

The players of Kings Football Club were highly organized and
efficient. They passed the ball perfectly and we were on the back
foot for most of the first half. We sent to many players forward
and got punished for that. By half time, we were lucky to be two
goals down. Coachee did not even bother looking at the bench.

I was not expecting him to anyway. I stole glances at Ann a few times. One of of those times, I caught her stare and waved at her.

We smiled at each other. I liked that babe sha.
I was considering
leaving this place and heading out to meet them in the stands.

They had come to watch me. I wanted to impress. This Coach
was cramping my style.

10 minutes into the second half, they conceded a corner kick.

A new guy who was our most skillfull player took the ensuing corner and they scored an own goal. The match dragged on.

They hit the bar twice and our goal keeper made outstanding
saves. 80 minutes on the dot. Clement was tackled from behind
and sustained an injury. I had already lost hope of playing and I was not even paying attention.

I was looking at Ann and trying to
mouth some words to her. Coachie words startled me.

“Skippoo!!!! Khels!!!” he barked.

I quickly got on my feet.

“On track. Go and stretch. You are coming in for Clement.” He
ordered. Clement was still groaning from the injury and had a huge ice block on his ankle.

I was on the field of play in no time.

Gbenga went deeper to defensive midfield and left the attacking
midfield position for me to handle. I lost possession a few times,
but Gbenga helped me recover. I regained composure after a while and won a free kick.

It was Gbenga’s specialty but I
insisted I wanted to take it. I took it and ballooned it over the bar. I looked at coach. He was furious! Gbenga told me not to
worry after I apologized to him. Ann was cheering me. I was dictating the pace of the game with my long passes.

The wingers spread to the width of the pitch and I was feeding them. We had
most of the possession and all the play was coming through me.

I played a through ball to Mark. He dribbled the keeper but the ball hit the bar.

85 minutes. The players of KFC probably felt they had won it already and that there was no need to attack.

That was their mistake. I sent an across pass to the left. Oche collected it and
tried to beat the defender. At the same time I ventured into the box, hoping he would cross the ball. He did cross the ball but it
was cleared away. Gbenga collected the ball a few yards outside the 18 and launched a powerful rocket shot. The keeper parried
the ball.

I saw the ball before any other person. I ran towards it for a rebound. The keeper also came towards the ball, along with two
of their defenders. I got there first. I did as if I wanted to kick the
ball into the net. But instead of kicking, I faked the defenders and
goal keeper, dragging the ball to my other feet.

The defenders and goal keeper were lost in the other direction. I kicked the ball
into the net with my other feet. All happened in seconds.

I ran like a mad dog, screaming and beating my chest. I felt
myself leaving the ground. Gbenga and a few other players had
carried me up. It was jubilation galore. Coachee was smiling and
clapping. Ann was on her feet, clapping and screaming. It was a
great s£nsat!on.

All did not last long sha. They scored in the dying seconds of the
game and the game ended 2-3 in their favor.

I had made a statement…