We walked out of the small storage room and a man was sitting on the staircase leading out.
He was around fifty or sixty which was evident with his grey hair, he was rather short and had quite the round stomach. It was so big that the blue shirt barely contained it not to mention his black trousers which were a size too small then there was his brown leather shoes which were fake any way you saw them.
He stood up as we came out and walked towards us, "Good evening boys".
"I am Robert Laimen, I'm from England and I'm here to scout for attackers".
"Throughout my two month stay in Brazil, I've been studying a few of y'all and I'm taking five people. While I've already picked out three others, I've set my sights on recruiting at least two of you boys".
My face lit up, my smile going from ear to ear and I wasn't the only one, Hugo and Nazel both had this beaming smile.
"I work for a couple European clubs and they trust my judgement immensely so they're willing to hook you up with schooling, homes and much more. It would give you a pathway to football and everything in it".
"So I'll be watching the three of you in your next match and that'll be when I pick. Remember I can only pick two, get ready and perform your best".
Then he walked out leaving the three of us and our coach speechless, "Well then you guys have something big coming! It'll be a shame to lose all my great attackers though", Coach said sheepishly.
"It's not our fault, you made us this good", Nazel said with a shrug.
Coach chuckled then said looked down at us with a smile before saying, "He can only pick two though but I don't wanna see any funny business in the next match".
"No ball hugging or trying to steal goals, remember at BCD FC, we're more than an academy, we're a family".
"Yes coach", we said instantaneous.
****
I ran back home with a smile plastered all over my face, i barged into our small bungalow home to see my mom cooking up some Jollof rice, an African gift she learnt from her grandmother mother who was Nigerian.
"Mom! Mom!! Mom!!!", I screamed while hoping in the air, my sports bag slapping against my back.
"Relax Johann what happened?", my mom said, her light dark eyes carrying a level of worry in them.
My mom has always supported my football journey ever since my father left when I was just born, we were really poor for a long period and football was like my only escape.
My mom didn't like it at first for whatever reason but she soon grew to love watching me play then she got married to this cool dude name Alex.
"A scout from England came and he said he's looking to scout two of us in attack!".
My mother's face changed from what looked like confusion to sadness but ultimately it just looked calm.
She closed the lid of the pot before sitting down on my couch in front of the TV and patting the space beside her for me to join.
I took a seat beside her and asked, "Mom is everything alright??".
"Yes Johann, I just felt it right to talk to you".
"Football is a beautiful sport that our people love but are you really sure you want to do this?? You'll be giving up your other future paths, it might feel weird as I'm saying it but it happens to quite a few people".
"You're a teenager, for you to go oversees where I wouldn't be able to see you or take care of you…just doesn't sit right with me".
"I won't try and stop you or anything but I just want you to think about it".
"Mom?!".
I held her hands softly then said, "This is all I've always wanted to do".
"You sure??".
I nodded firmly then she gave me a deep hug before saying, "Then I'll support you all the way".
****
The days flew by in a rush, my mom told Alex about it who was on a business trip at the time and safe to say he was ecstatic. My days were spent thinking, training and more thinking. I didn't even have the mind to be on my phone or anything.
Thank God it was summer because i would not have the mind to solve chemistry. The three of us didn't even see each other much during this week but we could all feel our collective excitement building, even the rest of the team was psyched.
Then the match day came, it was another rainy day. The crowd for this game was bigger than usual, we were playing Palmorias u-16 squad and they looked crazy to say the least.
The coach huddled with all of us before the game and said, "This might well be the toughest game of the season, the attacking midfielder in their team is one of the attackers this scout has already picked".
"So be extremely careful of him and their striker, although the scout didn't pick him…I've heard some crazy things plus their defence is the best in the league but I trust my attackers".
"Ready??".
"Ready!!"
Peep!!
The whistle blew as they began the match, the attacking midfielder immediately got the ball and scanned round quickly before giving a back pass to his defender.
He then charged forward, Hugo came rushing after the defender but he sent in a deep cross straight back to the attacking midfielder. Dane came changing after him but after he killed the ball with one touch, he then flicked it over him and gave a short pass forward to their striker.
"Dane cover the attacking midfielder", I quickly yelled just in time.
The striker back heeled towards him but since Dane was closer, he quickly blocked the shot and the keeper caught it easily.
He turned back and sent me an unsettling gaze before jogging off, my keeper distributed it down to Dane in midfield who played it forward for me.
My marker came in after not long after but with a slick touch and push, I was past him. At the edge of the box however the attacking midfielder came rushing infront of me, blocking off my path but thankfully Dane came rushing in behind him.
Play the pass forward to Dane?? That's what he'd think, I have a bigger man for my passes. I faked the pass through and cut inside, a defender came rushing to me but using my weaker left foot, I did a trivela pass to Hugo rushing in.
It was a bit wobbly in the air but it should do, no it definitely would, seeing as it's Hugo.
Their keeper came rushing out but Hugo tapped the ball over him but before it could cross the line though, the attacking midfielder came headed it off with another of their defender clearing it out of play.
He landed hard on the floor but got up quickly and said, "Come on boys, what are we playing?!". That's the point where I noticed his captain armband, then I looked at Hugo, our captain whose whole thing wasn't talking but just scoring all the goals.
"You?!", a voice called from behind me. Turning back to see the fiery eyes of the attacking mid, his black huzz cut paired well with his dark skin and darker eyes.
"What's your name?!", he asked.
"Johannes…Johannes Black".
"Johannes, I like your play…give me a good game. My name is Franculino Martinez and I'm expecting something special from you".
I shrugged, keeping my nonchalant vibe and said, "Same for you then".
This match was going to be tough, I knew that for sure but I never back down and I won't now.
End of Chapter 2