Chapter 5: That night in Rio 

6 years ago. 2018 world cup under -17 invitational. 

A mini tournament that takes place before the World Cup. Multiple under-17 players from around the world are brought to a specialized city for a 10 day tournament to officially begin the world cup season. 

Mateo, Andile and Zuko were three such players brought in to represent their specific teams. 

Mateo was the star striker of team Latino Heat, a team consisting of players from Spanish speaking countries. Whilst Andile and Zuko were both representing Team Commonwealth. 

Multiple other teams were there, 8 in total, such as the British and Irish lions team, The Franks, The Neo-Asian team and The Slavs. 

The tournament started with no hitch, two groups of four with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals. The Commonwealth and Slavs won the first group whilst Latino heat and the Lions won the other. 

The match that changed things was the second semi-final. The British and Irish lions had won the first match early against the Slavs. 

The second semi-final began with relative ease. Both teams attempted to attack full force from the beginning, Mateo opened the scoring with an incredible header in the 15th minute before doubling the lead with a right footed strike in the 28th minute. Andile responded first with a 30th minute bicycle kick before Zuko equalized in the 44th minute with a long-range free kick. As both teams went to the changing rooms for the first half, chaos ensued. 

Mateo walked behind Andile hitting him in the head which Zuko saw and reacted. 

"Fu*ker," Andile said, punching Mateo in the head before Zuko also punched Mateo. The three then began a brawl that was soon separated by match officials, with the match being cancelled. 

"You boys are lucky, this is a slap on the wrist if I'm being honest." The disciplinary chief began speaking as Mateo, Zuko and Andile listened whilst sitting behind a table, clenching their fists. 

"2 years without International football, 3 years of guidance classes and a €100 000 fine from each of you. You are getting of lightly in my opinion." 

"Yes mam." All three responded in unison. 

A simple trip to showcase their talent ended in disaster for the three boys. Mateo continued his instant rise to fame immediately, returning to Barka's youth development and shining like the star he was. Andile went back to the US, keeping his youth contract with Technicali and trying his best to not let that day overshadow his career. Zuko on the other hand went and slipped down the pecking order at Supa Strikas, initially being considered for a pro-contract the day he turned 16, he had to start from the bottom under 15 side all the way to the under23 side again. 

Each of them vowed never to speak of that day again nor the parties involved. Until now. 

Present Day: StrikaLand, Soweto, South Africa. 

The room had grown silent, Coach Spenza was sitting behind a large desk, with his feet mounted on it. Slowly moving around with his office chair. 

The three boys were standing there, quiet, embarrassed even. 

"We agreed never to speak of that night. I will not speak about it; it is in the past." Mateo Spoke out in a Spanish accent. 

"Yeah, but how do you know about it? Only the disciplinary board and refs knew." Zuko said, seemingly angry. "Look, I know What I know. Whether or not you speak about it is not my problem. I just need it not to affect my team." Spenza said, affirming his authority. 

"I will not team with these two as long as I live." Mateo responded. 

"Same, these fools ain't gonna be my teammates." Zuko reluctantly agreed. 

A moment of silence came after, with Spenza starring at Andile, who had been quiet throughout the entire conversation. 

"Andile gets it, now don't ya kid." Spenza said. 

"Get what?" Zuko and Mateo seemed puzzled whilst turning to Andile on their side. 

"That this is our last chance. If we don't make it here, we ain't got no other option." Andile finally spoke. 

"Bingo, explain it to them kid." 

"Zuko only signed a one-year contract with an option to renew on Strikas' side. If you don't play for the team, then no renewal. Who will pick you up then. This is the African League ffs. Probably gonna get stuck playing in Jamaica. And Mateo, A loan contract with an option to buy. If they don't buy you, Barka will probably let you run down the 2 years left in your contract and release you. Me, this the Only chance I have ever had, I can't waste It." Andile continued. 

"So, the team is meeting tomorrow @ 8h00 am local time for pre-season training. I expect all three of you there. your kit bags are in the clubhouse. Boys, welcome to Strikaland." Spenza said as all three walked out. 

At night. 

Andile walked into his house with Jomo, talking about the contract and the upcoming matches. As they walked the door was locked, he used his key to open it and light the room before he heard several people scream "SUPRISE" with a cake and balloons Waiting for him. 

"Congrats on your pro-contract son. Do me proud." Skarra said, hugging Andile. 

"Thanks everyone. Jomo you knew didn't yah." Andile said, smiling. 

"I mean. I didn't wanna ruin the surprise." Jomo said as they all celebrated. 

Random hotel in Joburg. 

Zuko is sitting on the bed, talking to his mother on the phone. 

"Yah mah, training starts tomorrow morning. Yah, I'll call Yah when I finish up tomorrow mah." He said, as if answering a million questions. 

"Your pa wants to talk to yah now boy. Hold the phone a little." His mother said "Fuck" Zuko quietly thought before he heard a stern voice on the line. 

"Zuko, can you hear me boy" Rasta said in a stern, loud voice. 

"Yah pa. Very well in fact." Zuko responded. 

" This is your last chance, don't mess up boy." "Yah pa, I know pa." 

"Look. I know it's a lot of pressure. And the weight on your shoulders is too much right now. But you are a talented boy and I know you can make me proud boy. Now get some sleep and food. Your mother said she loves you ok boy." 

"Yes pa, tell her I love her too." Zuko dropped the phone before dropping himself on the bed. "Now what am I going to eat." He thought. 

Mateo was also in a hotel. With earphones listening to music whilst looking at an old print picture of a woman in her 20's wearing an old Barka jersey. 

"That boy was right mama. This is my last chance. I need to fight for my place In Barka. I will achieve Papa's dream. For you mama." He said, as tears began flowing down his eyes. 

Spenza walked around the Strikaland training compound locking doors and switching of lights before walking into the training ground, where he saw a man, in his mid-20's shooting balls into the net. 

"Mark Philips. Thought you'd still be here." Spenza said as the man stopped and turned to him, with Sweat covering his whole training kit. A tall dark man, with an imposing build and slim structure. 

"Coach, closing shop, aren't we?" He replied. 

"Yeah, time to call it a night. You should too. Team captain can't be late for the first pre-season training now, can he?" Spenza said. As he helped Mark pick up balls. 

"Yeah, you are right. I'll probably do one more drill then close up." Mark replied. 

"You know, you would be the best player in the world if you did not have that chip on your shoulder. Supa Strikas is not your team to carry. Focus on your game and the team will probably carry you." Spenza said as he began to walk away with Mark starring at the red ball with A Supa Strikas logo on it. 

"It's a burden I chose, I don't want to be the best player in the world, nor do I want to stop carrying Supa Strikas. It is the team that raised me, gave me a home when I was a thirteen-year-old orphan with nowhere to run. Coach all I want is for Supa Strikas to be the best team in the world. If I have to bleed every drop of blood in my body, I will do it." Mark responded with a bold look on his face. "OH, that's a first."Spenza turned around smiling 

"They call you the Devil Coach, don't they? The man who sold his soul to the devil to destroy other teams?" Mark asked, As Spenza continued to smile. "I've heard something to that effect, yes." 

"If Supa Strikas can be the best team in the world. I'm even willing to do the same, sell my soul to the highest bidder of needs be." Mark said as rain began to pour down heavily on the field. 

Spenza seemed to say something, but Mark could not make out what he said before walking away.