Trial Match I

Time 10:30am

Coach Mande glanced at his watch and signaled for the teams to take their positions. Every player on the pitch, including Amani, stood tense and alert, waiting for the whistle that would launch the match — a moment that could shape their destinies. Today, the red team had been chosen to kick off. Emanuel Obuya and Beni Mikate were already positioned at the center circle, ready to start the game.

Almost immediately, most of the scouts began abandoning their seats in the stands, moving closer to the touchline to capture every moment. Cameras were adjusted, binoculars lifted, and notebooks opened as the spectators prepared to document the unfolding drama.

Coach Mande checked his watch once more before nodding to Coach Juma on the sideline. Then, with a loud, piercing blast—FWEEEEEEE!—kick-off was on. Emanuel passed the ball to Beni, who bolted forward into the opponent's half without a backward glance.

Amani, ever the orchestrator off the ball, shouted, "Beni, pass here!" His voice cut through the clamor as he spotted Beni drifting, looking for an open teammate. Unmarked and ideally placed, Amani made his move. But Beni, distracted or perhaps stubborn, opted to send the ball to Tony Majembe on the left wing instead.

That moment was quickly seized by Edo Musyoka, the right-winger for the opposing green team, who slid in with a clean tackle, snatched the ball, and delivered it to Francis in midfield who was open. Francis controlled the ball with flair, weaving past Beni — who now found himself caught out of position — and launched a long, high pass towards the fast-moving Stephen Nondi near the box.

As the ball reached Nondi just outside the 18-yard line, Amani's red team scrambled back into defense. Only Fredric stood between Nondi and the goalkeeper. Without hesitation, Nondi hammered a powerful shot toward the bottom left corner, forcing Baraka, the keeper for the green team, into a spectacular save. The resulting corner kick further stoked the pressure on the red team.

From the onset, Amani had noticed that his teammates were increasingly isolating him, passing him by instead of utilizing his off-ball intelligence. Even though he was positioned to build attacks with his movement and Visionary Pass ability, he received no passes at all. Still, Amani's spatial awareness remained impeccable. He darted into pockets of space with smooth, calculated runs — his strides measured and graceful even in the chaos of the match.

Frustration peaked when, during a frantic scramble back to defend the corner, Amani called out, "Beni, why didn't you pass to me?" His voice was sharp with both disappointment and urgency. In response, Beni sneered, "Piss off. I'll play my game; you play yours. Don't get in my way," and bolted off at full speed.

"Kids," Amani muttered under his breath, trying to refocus. The green team quickly cleared the corner, but for the next ten minutes, the match was dominated by the opposition. Their midfield controlled the game, with Francis and Wanjala threading dangerous through balls that nearly turned into goals if not for Baraka's brilliant saves.

Amid the chaos, Amani's off-ball movement stood out. Although his teammates frequently ignored him, his ability to find space and make intelligent runs did not go unnoticed by the scouts. He moved fluidly across the pitch, creating passing lanes even if no one exploited them, his body always in motion, reading the game like an open book.

In the 20th minute, a rough challenge by Chrisy Nwema on Edo Musyoka just outside the penalty box brought the game to a temporary halt. Coach Mande's whistle cut through the tension as a foul was called, awarding a free-kick to the green team. "What are you all doing back there?" Chrisy Nwema shouted at his teammates, "Form a wall and defend!"

Despite the earlier isolation, Amani joined the defensive wall, his eyes still burning with determination. Coach Mande signaled for the free-kick, and Edo Musyoka sent a superb cross into the box. Stephen Nondi latched onto the ball, and from around the penalty spot, he powered a header past Baraka. The ball ricocheted off the left post before settling into the net — Nondi had made his mark. The score was now 1:0 in favor of the green team.

Amani stood with his arms crossed, watching his teammates' dejected expressions as the scouts in the stands nodded approvingly at Nondi's performance.

At that moment, he recalled how, in his previous life, a player like Nondi had been whisked away to Europe. [So, this is how Nondi made it…] Amani sighed internally, feeling the weight of missed opportunities.

Before he could rally his team with some encouraging words, Chris Nwema launched into a tirade. "You useless joke of an attacking midfielder!" he barked, pointing his forefinger at Amani. "Our midfield is falling apart because of you! Why aren't you passing the ball?"

Amani's anger flared. "Watch it, man!" he retorted, stepping closer. "You never pass to me — how am I supposed to help if I'm being ignored?" Their heated exchange escalated until Coach Mande intervened with a sharp whistle.

"Both of you, go to the bench and cool down!" he commanded. The tension broke instantly, and Amani and Chris Nwema separated like frightened rabbits.

Later, from the sidelines, Kristen—one of the scouts—murmured to her companion, "Are you sure Amani is truly talented? He's had zero impact so far."

But her colleague, an experienced old scout, countered, "Look closer. Despite being isolated, his movement off the ball is exceptional. In trial matches, a player might be sidelined if he's too dominant or weak. Amani's smart runs create opportunities — even if his teammates haven't recognized them."

Kristen's eyes lingered on Amani, who, though dejected after the verbal clash, continued to position himself perfectly, always ready for a pass that might never come. His body moved with the quiet confidence of someone who knew his own worth, even when the team's collective strategy faltered.

The match continued, and soon, the scoreline shifted to 2:0 as Nondi capitalized on another chance with a powerful header. The system interface then flashed across Amani's vision, displaying a new mission update — its text both a blessing and a curse.

***

[LEGENDARY MISSIONS:

#NEW MISSION: Mombasa Football Trials (Serial Missions)

*Task 2: Help the red team clinch victory over the green team.

*Task 3: Catch the eye of a football academy official or club scout.

Rewards: New tool unlocked

Punishment: The LEGENDARY system will go offline for a year if you fail.

Remarks: A living LEGEND never gives up.

**

"How the f**k am I supposed to do all this when I've been sidelined?" Amani thought bitterly, his mood sinking into despair. His heart pounded with a mix of determination and hurt as he recalled how he had been isolated all match long. He sat down dejectedly on the sidelines, replaying the confrontation with Chrisy Nwema in his mind. 'Why did I have to let it get to me on such an important day?' he wondered, feeling the void of lost confidence.

Minutes later, Coach Juma approached him. "How are you feeling, Amani?" he asked, his tone unexpectedly gentle.

"Like I want to dive into the Indian Ocean with a stone tied to my back," Amani replied with a rueful smile.

Coach Juma laughed heartily, drawing approving looks from nearby scouts. "That's good — subtle and honest. Remember, there are many paths to success. Don't let one setback derail you."

As the second half kicked off, the red team seemed demoralized, their performance slipping further under the relentless pressure of the green team. But Coach Juma saw potential in Amani. "I'll give you one more chance to impress the scouts," he announced. "Your behavior earlier might have cost you some points, but there's always room for redemption if you prove yourself on the pitch. And you — talk to Chrisy. You two are the best midfielders we have. If you can work together, you'll elevate the whole team."

Amani swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. Despite the isolation and the chaos, he knew that his off-ball movement — those intelligent, well-timed runs — could still make a difference. Today, he resolved, that he would not let his teammates' selfishness or their competitive instincts overshadow his own talent. With renewed determination, he promised himself that, no matter how many challenges he faced, he would showcase the skills that had brought him this far.

As the match wore on, Amani's positioning became a silent symphony of skill. Even without receiving passes, his constant movement off the ball created space, drawing defenders away and opening gaps that could one day be exploited. His teammates might have isolated him, but some of the scouts took note — his awareness, agility, and ability to read the game were the hallmarks of a true playmaker.

Though the red team trailed 2:0, Amani's inner fire was far from extinguished. He might have been misunderstood today, but he knew that his journey was just beginning. With every calculated run and every burst of effort, he was writing a new chapter in his destiny — a chapter where his off-ball brilliance would one day shine as brightly as his dream of a future among the football elite.