David wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath coming in quick bursts. The afternoon sun beat down on the worn-out field, but he didn't complain. He had been training under Coach Kunle for two hours straight, perfecting his passing, dribbling, and movement.
"You call that a first touch?" Kunle barked as David received a pass. "Again!"
David bit his lip and focused. The ball came in fast, but this time, he controlled it perfectly.
Kunle nodded. "Better."
The other boys training nearby watched in silence. Some respected him, others envied him. But David didn't care. He had no time for distractions.
Kunle clapped his hands. "Alright, that's enough for today." He turned to David. "Tomorrow, you're playing in a trial match."
David's eyes widened. "A trial?"
Kunle smirked. "Yes. The scout wants to see you in a proper game. If you impress him, who knows what could happen?"
David felt a rush of excitement. This was his chance.
***
That night, he lay on his mattress, staring at the ceiling. The small room he shared with his younger sister was quiet except for the hum of a distant generator.
His mother's voice drifted in from the next room. "Football, football, football. I just hope this boy knows what he's doing."
His father replied, "Let him try. If he fails, he'll learn."
David closed his eyes. He wouldn't fail. He couldn't.
***
The next day, the field was packed. The trial match had drawn a crowd—local coaches, players, and curious spectators. The scout, a middle-aged man in a blue polo shirt, stood on the sidelines, arms crossed.
David stepped onto the pitch, heart pounding. This was it.
The match began at a furious pace. David played as a forward, but the defenders were strong, aggressive. The first few minutes were rough—every time he got the ball, he was met with hard tackles.
Kunle shouted from the sideline. "Stay calm, find the space!"
David took a deep breath. He needed to adapt.
The next time he received the ball, he didn't try to force his way through. Instead, he read the game, adjusted his movements. He made sharp runs into space, linked up with teammates, and before long, he found himself in front of goal.
A defender lunged.
David didn't panic. He shifted his body at the last second, letting the challenge slide past him before calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner.
The crowd roared.
The scout leaned forward, intrigued.
David didn't celebrate. He just jogged back, focused.
He wasn't done yet.