Chapter 4 Dream Encounter a Chance

Word spread like wildfire through the football community in Oslo when news of the Cafe Guy impending journey abroad for Academy Trials reached their ears.I had been scouted by a renowned football academy, and an opportunity to trial for a spot in their ranks awaited me on the other side of the world. The prospect of this talented young Nigerian making it big brought pride to the local team and the café owner, who had watched me grow from a determined dreamer to a formidable athlete.

Preparations for my journey began in earnest,I spent hours at the football field in the days after I stopped going to work at the Cafe to focus on preparations fine-tuning my skills under the watchful eyes of the coach and teammates.Coach Ade has also arrived in Oslo from Nigeria where he had opened a small Academy to Train Kids in the streets,I was supposed to be his first Big Project and he was so Happy when we started getting Trial offers,the training and preparations were more intense now with Each kick, each dribble, and every sprint having a newfound purpose as I focused on leaving a lasting impression during the academy trials.

The local team in Oslo decided to honor my journey with a farewell match-a final showcase of my prowess and a testament to the impact I had made on the community. The match was to be a grand event, with players from neighboring clubs invited to participate, and the café owner already told me she will be coming to watch also, And I forgot to tell you,I met a girl at the Cafe not very long after I started working there, she's an African lady studying in Oslo, her name is Pearl,Pearl is such a beautiful soul with an even more beautiful face to match the soul, she's around 6ft Tall with a shining dark skin and a fit body thanks to her frequent gym sessions. on the first night we met, she approached me asking if I was the one she doe see at the gym we both happen to always work out every morning and I replied "yes, that's me" with a very gentle smile as I was trying to remain as professional as possible, she took her order and went to sit by the window and the streets light through the window casted arrays of beautiful colors on her shining dark skin, she's such a beauty to the sight I whispered to myself. The Following day in the gym we exchanged pleasantries after our workout and decided to have a little chat before I left to training, we kept meeting and talking frequently from then and she's been a very big part of my stay in Oslo, she came from Benin Republic and both her Parents are over there, she's in Oslo with an Aunt sponsoring her Education in Journalism, she's a very brilliant young lady and if I was going to make any friend in Oslo, I was happy it was her. she's told me she will be attending the farewell game with her friends from school also and I was looking forward to saying my own temporary farewell to her because I have every intention of still finding her again when everything is over.

As the day of the farewell match approached, the football field buzzed with anticipation. The air was charged with excitement and camaraderie as players from different teams put aside their rivalries to come together for a common cause-to celebrate the journey of a talented young athlete and bid him farewell on his path to greatness.The day of the match arrived, and the football field was adorned with banners of the local team. The stands were filled with enthusiastic spectators, their cheers resonating with support and admiration. The café owner, dressed in a traditional Nigerian outfit that I had gotten for her as a Birthday gift some weeks back stood proudly on the sidelines, her eyes shining with emotion and I could see Pearl with her Colleagues in cheerleading attires also dancing with enthusiasm.My teammates, dressed in the team's colors, huddled together before kick-off. The Coach delivered an impassioned speech, acknowledging my talent and dedication to the whole watching crowd and how the whole team are proud that I've worked my way into this big Opportunity,He urged the team to give their best on the field as a tribute to my journey.the team we were to play against gave a guard of honor before we start the game and my heart was already filled with emotions and gratitude.The match began, and the atmosphere was electric.I displayed his skills with finesse, dazzling the crowd with my footwork and strategic plays. Each moment seemed to unfold like a scene from a movie-a testament to the Hardwork I've put into getting to this stage,the opponents were physically stronger than my teammates but with my technical and physical qualities I ensured we were on top of the game by dropping deep to receive the ball in the first phase of play and dictating tempo, and my press resistance abilities means the Opponent could hardly press us off the ball, it was a very interesting game for me that I capped the beautiful first 45 minutes with an assist.

as the whistle blasted to half time,the crowd cheered my name and even though I haven't left for my trial yet, I was so proud of how long I've came and I was so determined now not to stop here and ensure that I get to the very top of the Game.

Back Home I'm sitting with my Dad after the whole fanfare of my welcome, we've just finished my favorite meal Pounded Yam and Egusi though it's his favorite also,He said now to me, "Now that the Crowd is gone,Omo Mi,How has the Journey being?" a Very important question meaning he's asking to know how I've fared all these months,even though I regularly call home while in Oslo,I don't really tell them much about the Process and the struggles I've had to put up with in acheiving my dreams,I started narrating the whole experience starting with "Papa,it wasn't an easy one but it seems it will be worth it at the end" , he's someone I could always tell everything, that was the kind of relationship he's built with me from the very beginning, it was such a long gist that we finished the keg of palm wine we set on the table before we could end the gist, and yes, that was how long my experience away from home in chasing my dream has being, it's being a very long road and I'm thankful everyday for the opportunity to set on this road and the strength to never give up while on it.

As the Farewell match back in Oslo neared its end,I found himself standing near the opponent's goal with the ball at my feet. Time seemed to slow down as I gazed at the net before him. This was more than just a goal; it was a representation of my dreams and the support I had received from the football community in Oslo.With a powerful strike, the ball soared through the air, finding its way into the net with precision. The crowd erupted in jubilation, their cheers filling the air.Mynteammates rushed to embrace me and their joyous celebration a fitting tribute to my journey and an acknowledgment of the path that lay ahead.

As the sun began to set on the day, the post-match celebration shifted to the café. The establishment was filled with laughter, music, and the aroma of delicious African dishes prepared by the café owner herself. Speeches were made, toasts were raised, and memories were shared,I spent the most of the evening with Pearl by my side, we had the best evening yet that day.However, amid the jubilant atmosphere, a hint of apprehension lingered. The journey to Australia where I was to take the First trial was not without its challenges.I had applied for a diplomatic visa to travel for the academy trial, but the bureaucratic processes had been unexpectedly delayed. As the departure date loomed closer, the uncertainty began to cast a shadow over my dreams but Coach Ade kept assuring me that it's going to be sorted in time for me to make the journey there.In the days that followed the farewell match,I found himself anxiously checking my email for updates on my visa application.I continued to train and prepare, determined not to let the uncertainty derail my focus. The support from my teammates, the café owner, and the football community provided a comforting embrace during this trying time.and my relationship with pearl became much more closer than before, she became my personal motivator, she spends her evenings with me at my place now instead of going to sit at the Cafe, I cherished every moment spent with her, she was one my greatest discovery abroad and I couldn't wait to get back home and tell Papa about her, and yes, I did tell papa about her. With each passing day, My heart weighed heavy with conflicting emotions.I was eager to embrace the opportunity that awaited me, yet the visa issues felt like an insurmountable barrier. Doubt crept in, testing my resilience and determination once again but I've never let it win and I wasn't going to let it win this time also.

In the midst of my internal struggle, Coach Ade and Pearl kept providing me with a much-needed dose of hope. "Life is filled with obstacles," peael said to me one evening, her voice gentle yet firm. "This is just another challenge that you will overcome. Never lose sight of your dreams, my dear. They are worth fighting for."Her words became a mantra that I repeated to myself in moments of doubt.Ibclung to the memories of the farewell match, the support of my teammates, and the unwavering belief of the football community. They had all seen something special in me, and I couldn't let the delay dampen the fire within me.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, the long-awaited email arrived. my visa had been approved. The relief that washed over me was immeasurable-a testament to my faith and perseverance. With my heart soaring and my determination reignited,I embarked on this next chapter of my journey.Pearl had excorted me and Coach Ade to the airport, her eyes filled with pride and emotion, as she bid farewell to the young Nigerian she had come to consider a friend. "Go and conquer the world," she said, her voice filled with love. "Never forget where you came from, and always remember that you have a family here in Oslo rooting for you." As I boarded the plane, I carried with me the memories of late-night shifts at the café, the camaraderie of the football field, and the warmth of the community that had embraced me. The journey beyond borders was not just about football; it was a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of dreams.

As the plane took flight, I glanced out the window at the fading lights of Oslo. The city that had shaped me, the city where I had faced struggles and triumphs, now stood as a beacon of inspiration-a reminder of the path I had traveled and the path that lay ahead.The rhythm of my dreams had led me here, and it would continue to guide me as I ventured into the this Call of Opportunity. The journey to Australia was just the beginning, and I knew that the world held boundless opportunities for those who dared to chase their dreams.