22/06/2024
KAKU’S TURF: The Odyssey of a Nigerian Footballer
Prologue
Ten minutes into the march the assistant coach of Friend FC could be seen pacing the sideline, screaming commands at the boys and showing his frustrations with quick gestures. Anyone new to the Bwari Township stadium would have a good laugh at the coach’s mannerism. Kaku was an epitome of resilience, strength and drama, but the boys love him still. Recently employed by the managements of Friends FC, Bwari where he recently relocated to in the bid to forget his recent disappointments and failed attempts of a football career in Europe.
“Tanko, you no dey see ball inside sun ni?” He yelled as Tanko, a striker missed the ball at an opportune moment. “If I bench you now, e go be like say I wicked. See them all playing like pregnant women. Oh! If una no score now, na die o!” He complained and threaten the players.
The Manager of the football club, Madam Ese can be seen laughing her head off where she was seated amongst other coaches in the town. She saw how the Head coach, Mr. Williams was growing soft with the players and needed a firm hand hence Mr. Blessing, nicknamed Kaku was employed. It was a tough decision that needed to be taken but she took it. Watching Coach Williams and Coach Blessing argue on the first eleven players for a match still showed that they were yet to work in unity.
Kaku, once a dynamo in his younger days with quick reflexes, agility and stout build played to his heart’s content in the third division of Nigerian football. Now a coach, his strategic prowess and experience a guiding light to victories of his might. Today, victory seems to be slipping away and he is swayed to be restless. The boys had boasted they would beat Grand FC “wotowoto” meaning mercilessly, was this coming to pass soon?
The match came to halftime and the players gathered round Coach Williams who encouraged them and told them they stood a better chance than the opponent. Kaku on the other hand, pointed out a few chances missed and playfully smacked the culprits while begging them to convert their efforts into goals.
The captain, Henry complained of uneven distribution of the ball and the need to remember it was teamwork that pays. After taking some water and glucose, they went in for the second half of play. Onazi, the goal keeper changes to the new side and players file in.
The moment the referee’s whistle went off, captain of Grand FC, Gideon took possession of the ball and passed to his teammates but it was intercepted by Micah, a midfielder of Friend FC. Like a bull, he charged towards the keeper and passes to Dudu, who converts it to a beautiful goal. The Bwari township stadium went agog with jubilations. Kaku and Williams shared a hug but alas, the referee disqualified the goal. He ordered a free kick. In protest, the supporters ran to the barricades were they pelted sachet water at the officiating team.
The matched continued shortly but Kaku could be seen cursing and threatening the referee.
“Na your papa commit off-side. You dey craze. Who give you whistle sef? I can do better than this nau!” he ranted on in frustration. Coach William tried to caution him but he didn’t heed until the lead referee sent him off the field with a red card. Now forced to retire to the pavilion, he sat behind Madam Ese and quietly apologized for his rude conduct on the field. She didn’t mutter a word.
The opponents soon scored a goal and the players out of anger began to tackle roughly. With a wrong move from Frank, Grand FC was awarded a penalty which was converted into another goal. With a three point loss, the supporters became restless and began to disperse from the stadium in disappointment.
The match ended with Friend FC losing. The post-match analysis by Coach William was obviously not going well with the players. They had been disenfranchised, that goal was legit but was cancelled. They felt cheated and such infractions should not be allowed to continue. Kaku in his usual manner, shook the players one after the other
“Gentlemen, it is appointed unto man to live once. Tomorrow, we try better. Let’s not live in regrets, okay? Well done, champions! I’m proud of you!” he said
Madam Ese, not one for much words gave the players some water and gave further instruction to the Captain on the retrieval of jersey’s back to the store-keeper.
“Mama e” Kaku hails “won’t you drop something for your boys?”
“You will be credited your match bonuses before the end of the day” she assures.
“No ma, that one na dolle” he said “this one na billing parole”
Ese shook her head as she brought out some money from her pocket and gave to the captain instead of Kaku. The boys erupt with laughter as Kaku charges at Henry.
Welcome to the world of footballers, fondly called “senior men” in Nigeria.
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