Football Life Episode 5: A New Beginning

Football Life

Episode 5: A New Beginning

Leaving the Past Behind

Remi, Samuel, and Félix stood outside their old academy, their bags packed. It was time to leave. Benin United had offered them a chance to join their youth team, a huge step forward in their football careers.

Samuel adjusted his backpack. "You sure about this, bro?" he asked Remi.

Remi nodded. "We have to take this opportunity. If we stay here, we’ll never grow."

Félix smirked. "Benin United produces professionals. This is our shot."

With one last look at their old academy, they turned and walked away.

Tosie’s Message

That night, after settling into the new training camp, Remi checked his phone. A message from Tosie popped up.

"Hey, Remi. It’s weird not seeing you at school today. I miss you already. I know you’re chasing your dream, and I’m proud of you. But don’t forget about me, okay? I still want to see you become the best. Talk to you soon. 💙"

Remi stared at the screen, a small smile on his face. He felt a mix of emotions—he was excited about this new chapter, but leaving Tosie behind was harder than he thought. He typed back:

"I miss you too. I won’t forget about you, I promise. I’ll make you proud. 💙"

Training at Benin United

Benin United’s training ground was on another level. The pitches were perfect, the coaches were strict, and the competition was tough.

The first day, their coach lined them up. "You’re here because we see potential. But potential means nothing without hard work. If you can’t keep up, you won’t last here."

Remi, Samuel, and Félix were ready.

Remi focused on free kicks. He stayed behind after training, setting up balls at different angles, bending them toward the top corner. He missed a lot, but every day, he got better.

Samuel worked on his dribbling. He practiced 1v1s, improving his footwork, quick cuts, and close control. His dream was to be unstoppable on the ball.

Félix trained on long passes. He perfected his vision, sending accurate balls over defenders, setting up attacks from deep.

They pushed themselves to the limit. Sweat poured, muscles ached, but they didn’t stop.

As Remi lined up another free kick, he whispered to himself, "I will be great. I will make it." Then, he took a deep breath and struck the ball. It curled beautifully into the top corner.

This was just the beginning.

Football Life

Episode 6: Three Years Later

Three years had passed since Remi, Samuel, and Félix joined Benin United’s Youth Academy. They had grown, improved, and transformed into key players for their team.

Ages & Positions:

Remi Iloh (15 years old) – Attacking Midfielder / Forward (CAM/ST) Once overweight, Remi had put in relentless work. He now weighed 78 kg (172 lbs), a drastic reduction from his old weight of 98 kg (216 lbs). His agility, speed, and technique had improved.

Samuel Ajayi (15 years old) – Winger (RW/LW) Samuel had become a skilled dribbler, capable of weaving past defenders effortlessly. His acceleration and close control were his biggest strengths.

Félix (15 years old) – Central Midfielder (CM) Félix had mastered long passes and playmaking. His vision and ability to distribute the ball were crucial for the team.

The Big Match: Benin United U-16 vs. Bauchi Warriors U-16

The Benin United squad had a major game against Bauchi Warriors, one of the toughest youth teams in the country. Scouts were watching. A win could mean a promotion to the senior squad.

Starting XI - Benin United U-16 (4-3-3 Formation)

GK: Peter

RB: Ade

CB: Hassan, Emeka

LB: Chinedu

CM: Félix, Ibrahim

CAM: Remi

RW: Samuel

LW: Michael

ST: Bolaji

First Half:

Bauchi Warriors came out aggressively, pressing high and forcing mistakes. By the 18th minute, their striker broke through and scored. 0-1 Bauchi Warriors.

Benin United struggled to create chances. Bauchi’s defense was compact, and their midfield dominated possession. Remi was tightly marked, making it hard to influence the game.

In the 35th minute, Samuel received the ball on the right wing. He dribbled past one, then another, cutting inside. He passed to Remi, who flicked it over a defender and volleyed it—Goal! 1-1.

Halftime Score: Benin United 1-1 Bauchi Warriors

Second Half:

Bauchi Warriors adjusted, playing more defensively. Benin United struggled to break them down. In the 60th minute, Félix launched a beautiful long pass over the defense, finding Samuel, who sprinted past his marker and finished calmly. 2-1 Benin United.

Bauchi Warriors pushed forward aggressively, trying to equalize. Their striker got a one-on-one in the 75th minute, but Peter, the goalkeeper, made a stunning save.

In the 85th minute, Benin United won a free kick near the edge of the box. Remi stepped up, took a deep breath, and curled it into the top corner. 3-1.

Full-Time Score: Benin United 3-1 Bauchi Warriors

It was a statement victory. Scouts took notes. The hard work was paying off.

As Remi looked at the scoreboard, he knew—his dream was closer than ever.

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