The sun blazed over the Zangola training field as the team prepared for another match. Ever since their victory against Kano Young Stars, Khali's name had spread quickly.
Everyone in town seemed to be talking about "the boy with the magic feet."Little children followed him after school, begging to see his tricks. Market women smiled when they saw him pass. Even teachers praised him for bringing pride to Zangola.
Khali tried to stay humble, but fame—no matter how small—has a way of changing the air around people.
And not everyone was happy about it.
A Growing Tension
Among Khali's teammates, Bello watched him closely.Bello had been the team's star before Khali joined. He was strong, fast, and confident—everyone used to chant his name. But now, the cheers were for Khali.
During training, Bello's jokes turned sharp."Careful, superstar," he sneered one morning. "Don't let your head grow bigger than the ball."
The other boys laughed nervously. Khali forced a smile. "I'm just here to play, Bello. We're all on the same team."
"Yeah," Bello muttered under his breath, "we'll see about that."
Coach Danjuma, sensing the tension, called both players after practice."I want peace in my team," he said sternly. "Bello, Khali—football is not war. You play for each other, not against each other."
"Yes, Coach," they both said, though Bello's eyes told another story.
A Chance to Shine
Two weeks later, Zangola Juniors were set to play the powerful Kaduna Eagles—a team known for their speed and precision. Scouts from a regional academy were rumored to be watching. Everyone wanted to impress them, especially Bello.
The night before the match, Khali could barely sleep. He imagined scoring a goal that would make Coach Danjuma proud—and maybe, just maybe, catch the scouts' attention.
But Bello had his own plan.
The Match Begins
The crowd was huge. The cheers echoed across the dusty pitch. Khali started as a midfielder again, Bello as a striker.
From the first whistle, Bello refused to pass to Khali. Every time Khali made a run, Bello turned away, trying to take the shot himself.
"Pass it!" Khali shouted.
But Bello ignored him—and missed.
Coach Danjuma shouted from the sidelines, "Work together! This is a team, not a solo act!"
By halftime, the score was 1–0 to Kaduna Eagles. Khali was frustrated but stayed quiet. He didn't want to argue.
The Breaking Point
In the second half, Khali intercepted a pass and dribbled through two defenders. The crowd roared. Bello ran beside him, shouting for the ball. Khali hesitated but decided to trust him—remembering Coach's words about teamwork.
He passed.
But Bello didn't run for it. He stood still, glaring at Khali as the ball rolled harmlessly away.
"What are you doing?" Khali yelled.
"Showing you," Bello snapped, "that you're not the only one who can decide the game."
The Eagles took advantage, counterattacked, and scored again. 2–0.
The field went silent except for the opposing fans cheering.
Coach Danjuma looked furious. He immediately substituted Bello and called Khali to the bench.
"Sometimes," the coach said quietly, "the hardest opponent is not the one in front of you—it's the one beside you."
Khali sighed, wiping sweat from his face. "I just wanted to make peace, Coach."
"I know," Danjuma said. "And that's what makes you a real player."
The Aftermath
The match ended 2–1, a loss for Zangola Juniors. That night, Khali sat outside his house, the ball resting at his feet. His chest ached—not just from the game, but from the feeling of betrayal.
His mother came out quietly and sat beside him. "You played well, my son," she said softly.
"I tried," Khali whispered. "But Bello hates me. He wants me to fail."
His mother smiled gently. "When light shines, shadows always follow. Don't let jealousy steal your joy. Keep your heart clean, and your gift will make room for you."
Khali looked up at the stars and nodded slowly. He understood now—being talented was not enough. He had to be strong inside too.
The Unexpected Turn
The next morning, Coach Danjuma gathered the team."We win together, we lose together," he began. "But yesterday, I saw something troubling—pride, envy, and selfishness. That ends today."
Then he surprised everyone."For the next two weeks, Bello and Khali will train together—alone. Same drills, same timing. You'll learn to trust each other again."
Bello groaned. "Coach—"
"No excuses," Danjuma snapped. "If one of you skips training, both of you sit out the next match."
Khali looked at Bello, who stared back coldly. It was clear—this was going to be a challenge.
But deep down, Khali knew that this was how champions were made—not just through skill, but through humility and forgiveness.
He tied his boots tighter and whispered to himself,"Let's see what tomorrow brings."