Chapter 23: Matchday 1

Taiko walked into a nice mansion to see Mark sitting on the sofa watching tv.

"Nice interview, really got the media talking." Mark said.

"They just piss me off that's all. Speaking really ain't my strong suit you know." Taiko said, sitting next to Mark.

"Yeah, South African media really be like that. by the way, did you pack?" Mark said, lowering the volume on the tv.

"Nah, I'm about to though." Taiko said, walking towards the stairs.

"Pack real heavy, after Moshi we've got matches against Royal Casablanca and Royal Pharaohs. So, we will be in North Africa for the rest of the month." Mark said, seemingly fiddling with his injured foot.

"How's your foot by the way? your injury was pretty nasty." Taiko said, seemingly worried.

"It's ok, I guess. I probably won't play much in the upcoming matches, but I should be one hundred percent when we come back for the first home game." Mark said as Taiko walked away.

"Thats great, can't wait till I can see you at your best, captain." Taiko said, running up the stairs.

"Yeah, me too!" Mark quietly said to himself.

The next day

The entire team was at the airport, preparing to board. a lively atmosphere was on the plane as everyone boarded.

"Those three zeem very cloze coach. When did zat happen?" Klaus said, referring to Zuko, Andile and Mateo who were walking upfront into the plane.

"I honestly don't know, but it seems they have decided to put their differences aside for the time being." Coach Spenza said, laughing as he boarded.

Zuko, Mateo and Andile proceeded to sit together on the plane as they continued chatting.

"Look man, I know you think I'm trolling but I legit can't do kickups, they are so damm hard." Andile said as the other two laughed at him.

"Nah bro, how the fuck is your father, thee "Skarra" and never taught you the most basic trick in soccer, its second only to actually kicking the ball." Andile said, laughing.

"Yeah, every kid in Catalonia probably knows how to do kickups by the time they are 3, comes second nature really." Mateo said, also laughing as Arthur walked up and sat on the remaining seat.

"Oi, noisy boy, you are awfully quiet today, really doesn't fit your name bro." Zuko said, punching Arthur in the arm.

"Ouch, just got a lot on my mind that's all, I think I just need a little time to think." Arthur replied as he put on headphones and thought to himself.

: You are better than me, and I can't let you waste away on the bench whilst I keep on delivering performances, I know you can do with your eyes closed.:

Those words kept ringing in Arthur's mind as the plane took off.

The team flew and landed in Nairobi before taking a bus to the small town of Moshi in Kenya where they would play the league match. Spirit was high as the team walked through the streets with fans taking pictures and the players signing autographs. A journalist immediately caught up to Arthur and asked him a quick question,

"Arthur, you are about to have your Super League debut even though you have been a player since your youth years, how is the feeling and do you think you can live up to the legacy of your predecessors such as Thee Big Bo and Scelo Sokhulu?"

"I don't know, but I'm a backup and with the current situation at the club it's my job to stand in for the others." Arthur said, trying to walk away.

"Then why would Scelo announce his retirement and Dame being sold to Azul, does that mean the club will be looking for a replacement with just a week left in the transfer window or will you be the man in the sticks for the near future." The journalist pestered on,

"No more questions on the club transfer policy please." Mark said dragging Arthur away towards the hotel as a tour guide greeted them.

"Welcome to Moshi, this small town on the foot of the Mount Kilimanjaro. The Stadium Moshi International can hold a capacity of 40 000 people and we are a part of the famous Kilimanjaro classic against Taveta Kilimanjaro. now follow me to your rooms. The tour guide said smiling as the team entered the tournament.

Moshi Kilimanjaro Training centre,

"They have arrived sir, any enquires?" The tour guide who had just welcomed the team said over the phone.

"Nothing much, like what is the mood? any injuries? or any tactical changes you've overheard." Anga Ally, Moshi Kilimanjaro's vice-captain and number 7 Said, responding.

"It seems their captain, Mark Philips is not going to be a hundred percent, by the looks of it he might not even make the bench tomorrow. there is also their goalkeeper situation, Arthur Svenson is going to be the guy between the sticks tomorrow. All easy pickings sir." The tour guide said, dropping the phone.

"You heard right, tomorrow our promotion chase begins." Anga Ally said, smiling to a taller player.

"You have seen what Coach Spenza can achieve and yet you go as far as to declare victory before the first kick is made. Do not underestimate that man." The tall player, Baraka Juma said, shrieking.

"He is right, whatever you do, Spenza is not a man to be underestimated." Their coach, Mohammed Saidi said, walking into the room as the other players also followed him.

"Now let us get some stretches in and go over our tactics one more time. We have to start the season with a win. Nothing less!" The coach said as the players shouted in unison.

Matchday at the Moshi International,

Moshi Kilimanjaro take on Supa Strikas in the first matchday of the season with a packed stadium. Teams are currently in the dugout preparing to go as a previously reported injured Mark Philips prepares to lead out Supa Strikas who are wearing a yellow kit with red highlights and yellow shorts. Also of interest is Supa Strikas third choice goalkeeper who starts the match with the first retiring earlier this month and the second being sold to FC Azul a few days ago.

On the other side is a fully fit Moshi Kilimanjaro who are fielding a fully fit side, being led out by captain Baraka Juma and vice-captain Anga Ally, wearing Sky blue tops with green shorts.

"Thought you were injured. MR Philips, you really shouldn't play if you aren't a hundred percent." said, smirking.

"Don't worry, if my team needs me to play with one leg and one arm, I will happily do that. Now let's go and play." Mark replied as the teams ran out into the field with cheers from the crowd.

Commentator: Mark Philips will kick off the first ball of the season as the game is set to begin. He sets the ball down on the centre field and kicks the ball to Supa Strika's number 99, Mateo Garcia who skies it to the outside field as Supa Strikas are seemingly making a substitution. Mark Philips is handing the captain's armband to Theo Von Neek who drops to the number 10 spot as Zuko Skhosana jogs in to occupy that left wing position to substitute mark.

"You know what to do kid. Goodluck." Mark said smiling as he and Zuko did a fist pump.

"Got you Captain." Zuko said, running past Mark.

"Nice work kid. Now sit down and support the team. that's the best you can do in these few matches." Spenza said, hugging Mark who went to sit down on the bench.

"Finally, the third musketeer joins the fun." Mateo said as both he and Andile laughed with Zuko seemingly pissed as the match restarted.

"What do you think he was trying to do by that, intimidate us huh?" Baraka said, standing next to Anga.

"Nah, more like a vein sense of duty. This is our advantage; they don't have their best player so let's end this quickly." Anga said, as the ball was passed to him by another player.

Commentator: The match has restarted with Moshi Kilimanjaro advancing through the field with the ball as its attackers ran into the 18-yard area, Anga Ally quickly lifted up the ball and crossed it into the box with their towering captain Baraka Juma leaping forward for a header which he successfully pulls off, but Arthur immediately reacts by punching the ball out of a corner.

What a save from rookie Arthur Svensson.

"Nice one kid." Jack Green said, wearing the number 3 as he stood on the near post to defend the corner.

"Half the job is done, cover me. Ryan far post, Klein mark the taker." Arthur said, standing behind Jack as the defenders all followed his orders.

Commentator: Anga Ally will take the corner as he crosses into the box, but Arthur Svensson collects with ease. It's not often that Anga Ally gets beat by a goalkeeper when taking a corner. Svensson is shouting at his players to start the counter as he shoots the ball far into the field.

"Coach, it Zeems Arthur is holding his weight out zere." Klaus said, snacking on some strudel.

"Yeah bro, the communication with the defence is perfect, no way this is his first match." North Shaw said, smiling.

"In the two months of training I have seen him, Arthur Svensson has made the correct decision 9/10 times. His game reading is incredible. on paper he is a great goalkeeper, in the human eyes he does not seem quality due to his lack of flashy saves or footwork. He is the definition of a traditional Keeper in a world that demands sweeper keepers. But there is one aspect where he is the best in the world at. 'Ball Distribution'." Spenza said as the ball landed straight at Mateo's feet.

"WOW, that's a nice pass." North said taking off his shades.

"A lesser-known goalkeeper who never went to the top leagues and plied his trade squarely in South Africa, Itumeleng Khune was known for his unfathomable distribution, the ability to get the ball to anyone within the four corners of the field. This is his regen, Arthur Svensson." Spenza said as Mateo ran down the field with no defenders marking him as everyone else ran behind him.

Commentator: What incredible ball distribution by Svensson as an unmarked Mateo receives the ball in the centre field and runs with it. Moshi defenders are giving chase, but Mateo is just too fast. He is one on one with the keeper who advances forward to make a last ditch save but Mateo just chips the ball over him and runs past before hitting the ball with immense power into the empty net.

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!! Mateo Garcia scores his first goal in the African Conference Division of the Super League, and it only took 7 minutes. Super league quality if I have ever seen it.

Mateo runs to the corner to celebrate with the travelling Strika fans as Zuko and Andile ran to celebrate with him.

"Klaus what is your analysis of this match right now?" Spenza said as Klaus shrieked with a stuffed face.

"Welle, ze team is clearly fluid, ze pre-season really helped. We are playing with real chemistry, it's like you said, if zose three can get along for 90 minutes a week, we have ze best team in the continent. AND Arthur Svensson is the best player in this game." Klaus said, seemingly serious.

"And North?" Spenza said, looking at North.

"I'm just the defending coach but, there is a very good chance, we aren't losing here." North said, smiling.

"Well, Mark, do you see what I mean by what a team is supposed to look like?" Spenza said, looking at a villainous Mark.

"A Captain leads, he does not drag his team, a team does not depend on its captain to win. On or off the field, the captain is the team's leader. If even one of the players does not follow the captain, that team will not succeed. Without me on the field, they still follow me.

This match is already won." Mark said.