Diary Of The Grand Commander

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 18

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 sensation.

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…