1 prologue

"SUPA STRIKAS RELEGATED!!!" the news hit like a lightning bolt striking after a calm shower of rain. Everyone knew it was coming but no one conceived it as possible. The club had been in a downward spiral for years, it began when Coach left, and the club began switching between managers every year or so. Then the spine of the team, Fabian Skhosana also known as Dancing Rasta retired a year later. The void left by these two was immense, a lack of leadership, experience and technical prowess began Supa Strika's downfall.

Soon the Strikas we knew began dwindling down one by one. El Matador soon took an early retirement and made it big in Hollywood, Cool Joe followed his musical ambitions and became one of the biggest selling artists of the decade. Twisting Tiger rejoined Nakama FC before retiring to reconcile with former teammates and regain his friendship with Miko Chen. Then Bojack retired after injury troubles and became a billionaire, along with Blok who began a multi-million dollar energy drink empire along his brother Attak called Rybar Energy. Soon, Supa Strikas was left with only three members of their original team. Shakes, North Shaw and Klaus, these three kept Strikas afloat for as long as they possibly could, but the lack of investment in talented players to replace old ones signalled doom for the men in red.

However, when all hope seemed lost, Samson "Skarra" Manzuel, the club's greatest rival joined them in the later stages of his career, becoming captain and leading them to one last Super League Title alongside Shakes. After Shakes retired, Skarra took charge of the team and gave everything to keep them afloat, but it was all for nothing. Soon, Supa Strikas was relegated and Skarra retired a Supa Strika's legend.

A couple months later

Johannesburg, South Africa. OR Tambo international Airport.

A South African Airways Boeing 747 Airbus lands on one of the Airstrips. Inside the cockpit sits captain Mara Mokoena and First mate Ryan Taylor. Mara is in her late thirties whilst Ryan is in his early twenties.

"Well, happy retirement Captain." Ryan Said as they began to pack up their stuff.

"Making it seem like it was my choice." Mara said, smiling as she stroked her belly which showed a small baby bump.

"Early retirement is always nice, but I'm sure that Jomo and Nandi will enjoy having their mom home most of the time, and so will their father." Ryan said as they began walking out of the plane.

"I do speak a lot about them a lot, don't I? But I know next to nothing about you Ryan." Mara said.

"Well, I am not married to one of the greatest strikers in Super League history, nor was I the pilot for what was the best team in the league a couple years ago. So, there is not much to know about me." Ryan replied.

"Yeah, was" Mara said, looking disappointed.

"How did he hold up after that? His team was relegated, must have been brutal."

"He cried himself to sleep every night for a couple of weeks, but he has been doing better, especially after finding out I'm pregnant again. SKarra and Spenza also kept him from killing himself a couple of times." Mara said, before taking out an envelope and handing it to Ryan.

"what's this?" Ryan said, confused.

"It's a recommendation letter that you can use at the private pilot agency I used to work for. listen kid, you aren't built for the crazy hours that come with commercial aircrafts, you can make a lot of bank flying for those rich moguls and stuff. Plus, early retirement is a given, maybe one day you'll be the pilot for a big super league team." Mara said, as Ryan quickly hugged her.

"Thanks, Captain." Ryan said, before letting go and them exchanging goodbyes.

An hour later.

SOWETO

A visibly older Shakes is playing Super league 360 with an older Skarra as they both try to beat each other in the game. There is a lot of clicking buttons and controllers as both have fun, with two kids watching in awe. A 6-year-old girl with cornrows called Nandi, and an 11-year-old boy, with glasses and a small afro called Jomo. Just as everyone is having fun, Mara walks in with her bags, still in her pilot uniform.

"Mom!!" Jomo and Nandi said, running to hug her as Shakes, followed to kiss her on the cheek.

"Hey babe" Shakes said.

"Hello to you too, Samson." Mara said, sarcastically referring to Skarra.

"I'll forever rue the day you told her my first name Shakes, anyway how was your last flight." Skarra grumpily replied.

"It was good, how are Amanda and the kids?" Mara asked.

"Amanda, is well, Amanda, Jack is a two-year-old and Andile is still obsessed with football." Skarra replied.

"I still can't get over the fact that you named your first son after Dingaan." Shakes said, laughing.

"Just wanted to keep that dummy alive in some way you know. Hehe." Skarra said, smiling as he held onto a necklace around his neck. Before a knock disturbed them, after which the door opened to show a short, 11-year-old with a brush cut, looking like a young Skarra.

"Hey Andile, how are you?" Mara said, smiling to the kid.

"Hy Auntie, Uncle, Uhm dad, mom told me to come fetch your a** cos you aren't answering her calls, hurry up cos dinner is ready." Andile said, staring at Skarra.

"20 bucks, if you can eat my plate for me. I can't survive another" Skarra said, looking to vomit.

"Make it fifty, plus a big mac and you have a deal." Andile replied.

"You little... You just came here to extort me didn't you. Fine I'll get you a big mac later." Skarra said, standing up and walking towards the door.

"Hey, Jomo, kickouts later?" Andile said, looking at Jomo.

"Yeah, sure, after I'm done with homework" Jomo replied.

"Nerd, see you later then, bye Auntie and Uncle." Andile said, as both he and Skarra walked out.

"HEY, MARA, save me a plate, I'll be back for it." Skarra shouted as they began walking up the street.

"I will, hey babe, where's Spenza, he is usually here for dinner?" Mara asked.

"He has his finals tomorrow, so he is probably studying." Shakes replied, yawning as he went towards the kitchen.

"He is finally going pro, took him long enough."

"Yeah, that's what I said, but he did hold it of long enough. Guess he finally decided to quit that mechanic gig and follow his passion full time. Wonder if it's too late though." Shakes said, as he helped Mara with her luggage.

The next day.

Super League Africa Headquarters. Johannesburg

Spenza walks out of the exam room, taking a deep breath before sitting down on his chair, resting a little. Minutes later a lady in a booth calls out "Next!" as Spenza stands up and walks up to her.

"Name and surname please." the lady said, chewing gum.

"Themba Sibisi, mam." Spenza replied.

"Mr Sibisi, congratulations on your certification as a Super League Continental pro Manager, this ID serves as a licence that allows you to coach teams in the Super League Lower division and the Super Continental leagues around the world alongside related divisions. Should you wish to elevate your licensing, you will need to have coached a minimum of 3 years in the lower leagues. The license is renewed every 7 years and you have the option to upgrade it then free of charge. Again, congratulations, Mr Sibisi." the lady said, handing Spenza a super league licence card.

"Thank, you." Spenza said, walking away and taking out his phone and making a call to someone named Fran, with a heart next to the name.

"Babe, did you pass?" Fran asked over the phone with excitement.

"I told you I would, so we can celebrate next time you are home." Spenza said, smiling

"Yeah, we'll celebrate when I get there." Fran replied, seemingly saddened.

"Listen, I'll call you later, I got go somewhere really quick." Spenza said, dropping the phone and continuing to walk.

"Uhm, boss, he does not suspect a thing." Fran said dropping the call and looking behind her to see El matador getting massaged whilst listening to her.

"That's good Francesca, I did not fly all the way from Spain just for a surprise to get ruined, your love for this Spanda guy is immense, and no one can come between you guys, this is just my way of saying goodbye to you." El matador said, smiling

"Thanks boss."

"No worries, Francesca, it is also an opportunity for me to meet some old friends.

Back at the Supa League headquarters.

Parking area.

Spenza knocks on the window of a black Mercedes Benz, the window drops and inside is an old Coach reading a newspaper.

"A suit suits you, Spenza, you should wear it more." Coach said, smiling whilst looking at Spenza.

"Thanks, looking at my future, I'll be wearing it more. Now that i passed, Coach, will you mentor me as we agreed?" Spenza asked.

"I don't break any promises, even though I'm on my deathbed and can't help much, I'll help where I can. Now get on and drive, your girlfriend has a surprise for you and I'm not good at keeping secrets so just act like you don't know when we get there."

"You just ruined the fun." Spenza said, getting on the car and driving away.

Kingston, Jamaica.

A 13-year-old boy walks into a townhouse, leaving his soccer boots outside and walking in all tired and dripping in sweat. He sees his mother and says hello.

"So, who won?" his mother asked, smiling.

"Who else? you know that the Port Royal Pirates always dominate." The boy said, smiling.

"Yeah, I know. Your father wants to talk to yah. He's on the balcony." his mother said, as the boy quickly runs up the stairs and into the balcony.

"Yah pops, Mom say yah wanna talk to me." the boy said, looking at his father, a tall man with an imposing physique, dreadlocks and a clean beard. This boy's father is Dancing Rasta.

"Yah mahn, you see, I got a call today, From Technicali, they wanna sign you." Rasta said, smiling.

"A Super League team wants me to join them?" The boy began to cry as his father hugged him.

"It means you good enough boy, just enjoy it Zuko my boy."

"I honestly wanted Supa Strikas but I'll settle, Hehe." Zuko replied, smiling as his father looked down on him with pride.

This all happened seven years ago. A lot has changed since then. Supa Strikas got relegated even lower to the African Super League. After years of losses, and financial ruin, Supa Strikas was sold to a consortium of businesspeople, which was led by multi-billionaire Bojack Anderson and Brikslovian energy drink company, Rybar Energy. The club was still in deep trouble though, the search for a good manager was still a huge issue, no good players could be lured there, and the club seems to be headed to even lower divisions of the league. But this is just the beginning, the club must look at its future for hope, because a group of young, ambitions and passionate player has begun to emerge that will change the club's fate forever. Three numbers will inspire hope in millions, 9, 10 and 11 will change not only Supa Strikas, but the Super League as a whole.

This is the beginning of Supa Strikas: Dark Legacy.