BECOMING BY DARCKNIGHT

Football in African Streets is Culture, Kids use anything round they can find to kick about and will play on any free Surface they get and it just doesn't stop while you are young, Journeying through the City of Lagos for an hour now and I've seen so Many Roadsides Little Playing Feilds with Men Kicking about and even some Boys using the Foot of the third Mainland Bridge as their Playing Feild, One of the Coaches I had the Privilege of Meeting once told me street football is the best form of football education and nations were streets are footballers are plenty should be making more Profession

als for top football levels, why is that not the Case with many of these Nations? why do the boys have to leave home first if they are to have a good chance of becoming a Pro in the Game? We call this Street Football Monkey Post in my neighborhood and I've been playing this since I can remember, football has been a daily routine for me and my friends since we were kids, always returning from school with dirty uniforms because we've played during the break and after school hours till we became old enough to know we should carry playing shorts in our bags to school.

My Name is Tunde and In this same bustling city of Lagos,Nigeria I grew up with dreams of becoming a professional footballer.born into a family of 8 kids in the slums of lagos,my mom was a local school teacher and my dad a driver,Lagos is quite the highest living cost city in the country and raising 8 kids in such a place shouldn't be for couples doing such Jobs but I had no input in my parents life decisions and I won't complain of their efforts towards raising us as they give everything they have into that. I'm the 3 of the 8 children and the first boy,the two ladies before me I've left to marry so I'm officially Man of the house as it's commonly called here ,I wasn't the best in school but I'm in top class of students,I do very well in almost all Subject and my Dad dreams I could go on to get enough to be enrolled into any of the Top Universities in the Country, I Like LASU the most and dreams of going there if I would ever get the chance to go that Far with education, I keep my Hopes in check because I was worried my parents might not have enough to really send me to one of these schools.

Every day after school I join my friends in one of these makeshift pitches barefoot and full of enthusiasm.this moments used to be my best cause it takes the reality of my situation away from my mind,we used to be genuinely happy whenever we are playing football and the team people you meet on the pitch are ones that you can call to even outside the game, football is one of those bonds in the neighborhood that is very strong especially for a boy like me that is actually talented in playing,most of the street bros "Egbon adugbo" like we popularly call them always want to have me on their team,I was a very comfortable dribbler and that's the core required skill in street football, after school games was one we always look forward to every day after school and I whenever I changed to those extra shorts and got on the sandy pitch I feel so free and happy,I genuinely do believe I can actually get fortunate and get to play football also in Europe like the Footballers I watch on TV,I held the distant belief that my love for the game will take me to a place where I can show these skills to fans cheering in the Stadium but whenever I get home the reality creeps back in and I really don't see how realistic it is to leave this place to that stage,it looks too wide a leap for someone of my background, there's a lot of proceses and steps on the way to becoming a Professional Footballer,I don't really know much about these but I know it's quite impossible for me at that stage to leave that house to Europe, who's going to get me a visa? passport? flight tickets? Just to name the basics, probably Egbon Tayo and Alhaji that we use his backyard to play football will remain my biggest viewers till I have to stop playing football and focus on either going to university or learning Handwork.

December 2016 and Alhaji's Son Ade just returned from Norway, he's as passionate about football as his father and they enjoy watching the Game so Much, he's gone abroad to widen his knowledge of the Game and became a Scout,we call him Coach Ade on the Pitch and everyone was so Happy to welcome him back home.without knowing, My skills caught the attention of Coach Ade a few weeks into his return home and he's been talking to Alhaji jokingly about how I have the Talent to be a top footballer if properly developed,that evening when Alhaji and Coach Ade showed up at our house will remain one of the most dramatic days of my life,on seeing them on our corridor my heart skipped as I Feared they've come to report me for whatever I might have done while playing that I wasn't even aware of yet.they spent over two hours discussing with my parents before I Heard the cranky voice of my dad calling to me to come inside and join them,My dad narrated to me that they've come to propose that they are allowed to invest in my football skills by sending me to an Academy overseas to prepare me for professional football,I was shocked excited at the same time and didn't really know the right response to give,I kept nodding my head in acceptance to everything they were saying, I was definitely going to do anything to ensure this becomes a reality, Finally! I might actually be achieving my dreams of becoming a Professional? My Dad would have preferred I stay home and continue with school and become an Engineer one day but he's fully aware of what a life changing opportunity it will be if I could get a Pro Football Contract in Europe so it didn't really take much convincing for whole family to be on board and preparations were swift for me to leave to Norway. It was there that the reality of the Struggles to becoming a Professional Footballer started to dawn on me. The stress at the Nigerian immigration office over getting a passport done and then getting a work visa at the embassy was as tedious as they come, I've never knew I would have these documents in my life, I've always wanted to be a professional but never expected the dream to come true and everything was really very big from the very start.

I Finally left Nigeria to Oslo, Norway August 2017,My Sisters came home with their kids on the day I was leaving, I went to the pitch again a day before then to say my goodbye to my school friends and "awon Egbon adugbo" the final kick about was very special, I was already getting the professional treatment, it was one of the best games I've ever played on the street as it's one I will never forget, I had a dinner at Alhaji's house that night and he talked to me about how much he believe in me and how I shouldn't ensure to keep playing football the way I've always loved to play as when everything seems out of place, it's my love for the Game that will keep me going,I was so honored that night and went to Bed with tears of Joy flowing down my cheeks. I couldn't really close my eyes for long as I was anxious for morning so I can leave for the Airport, the Flight time was 2pm but we left home as early as Time for Prayers,My Parents went with me to the Airport in Coach Ade's Car, it was a very long ride probably the longest I've been in before then as I couldn't wait to get to the Airport, The Time we had to wait before Boarding seems like eternity but my moms advice and prayers all through the time made it go by very fast and finally I had to board and say goodbye to my mom that was already red eyed before I get myself off her hug, my dad was smiling and I could see through his smile how happy he was that I'm getting this opportunity. I finally boarded the Plane and we left for Europe Finally, it was my first time leaving the country and I didn't really feel out of place even if I've never been inside of a plane before I reluctantly carried with me the food my mom has packaged with me even though I was later happy to have it as it didn't take really long before I started to feel hungry.

On arrival, I was met at the airport with a fellow Nigerian working in Oslo that Coach Ade has initially arranged with for me to hang with while training with a local football team, the plan was to be going from there to wherever I'm called for Trial as we've already started sending mails to many Academies in the Country asking for a Trial, on getting to the Apartment it was a small place but very comfortable, Kayode as the Guy said I should call him rarely stay at home as he said he works double shifts to keep in line with his Target here, He doesn't look it though I guess the working conditions over here are well better than what we've got back in Nigeria,I took a very long Nap on that Arrival night, My First sleep away from home, the beginning of the road to actualizing my dream.

The Dream of becoming a pro didn't tell me I will be lonely till I left the Airport in Lagos and realized it's just me now, no familiar faces, no Bayo,Ola, Chwuka, the egbon adugbos and the rest of the Kids I kick about with, I'm not expecting to get after a kick about to already made food by mom or will I get to frequent evening street football like im Nigeria? Why didn't I ask these Questions initially? A lot of unanswered questions started to creep into my mind, Coach Ade had Close ties with a small Local Football Club Oslo that I was to be training with pending when I get a Trial call, The

First few days were the most Lonely I've ever felt, Kayode always at work might have made matters a bit worse, the Homesickness didn't really take long to start, from the very cold weather to difficulty in learning a New Language.It was hard making friends as the people I go to play evening football with are way above my Age bracket and I kept wondering, where do the young guys play football, are they all in Academies? Don't kids play football in the streets here? Everything was different from the start.

My Determination remains deeply firm that I could get a Trial soon and be on my way to becoming a Pro so I didn't let the early difficulties to adaptation sway me away from that,I let that belief console me everytime I feel alone,I kept telling myself it's just for the moment the trial call will come and I will get to train and play football with my age group. The Local Team I was training with had mostly people Older than me and the Men mostly come to play football after days work for fun, I've played a lot of these in Nigeria and wanting more was my reason for leaving home but If I have to start from here again then I will. The First evening going to play with this Local team, the Coach introduced me to the whole team and it was a very friendly welcome, we had a little team talk and played against some other team, I was introduced to the Game at half-time and the in the 45 minutes I played they were all amazed at the energy at which I played with, I didn't come to Norway to play around at all, the Determination to succeed was fueling me so much. The Coach told me after the game that I can be using the facility to train in the morning and there are other aspiring professionals that do come around to train also, he told me he's always available to help with training and they have a gym in the facility that I can be using, that was a very good first day there for me, the Coach told me I have the right talent and attitude to make it at the game and it's just tactical education lacking, I made a good friend in him that day that I still carry till this very moment.

Back home now and reflecting on these memories and my view of what the boys playing on the streets in Africa has changed from back then, if only the People and Government knows how much good it will make to invest in this education these boys are giving themselves, they are receiving the best form of football education that is enough to propell anyone to becoming top professiona in the game but lack of human investment and feasible path into professional football in Africa is making all these education go to waste. I've not gone back to see Alhaji yet but Coach Ade was aware I've returned to Nigeria in a trip that wasn't for holiday, I stopped at home first and planned to meet with Coach Ade in the next few days as I'm aware he's moved to the other side of Lagos, the side where the working class and elites have fully saturated, the very Popular Banana Island, Lagos. My Return Home was like that of a King, My whole Siblings including my elder sisters all came around with their Kids also, My Dad has bought a very Big Goat and called his friends to come around to welcome me back home, I wasn't really expect that much of a Welcome Home Celebration, I couldn't wait for everything to be over so I can get to why I'm really back home.

After my first few weeks in Oslo I realized I would have to take a Job like those Men that come to play with us in the vening also if I'm to keep surviving here and that was the Moment I waved a Final Goodbye to Familiarity,I don't come from as plenty as some other kids looking for same opportunity and the Academy Trial call wasn't coming as soon as I had hoped, working during the day was close to impossible for me as I wanted to ensure I stayed true to my Training and the Games at Afternoon and use my Nights to find a Suitable Job that I can work for like 6-8 hours every night and still have enough sleep to prepare for the next day. The moonlight painted a soft glow over the darkened streets of Oslo as I walked with determination through the city. As a young Nigerian immigrant life in Oslo was not as easy as I had imagined.My days have been filled with challenges of training and Game Preparations and now it's time to explore the new set of Struggles the Night Brings. With my heart filled with hope and my pockets almost empty,I found himself standing in front of the city's bustling nightlife district.The neon lights and booming music seemed to mock my current situation.I yearned for an opportunity, a chance to prove himself and earn a living while waiting for my Dream to call.

I stepped into the first establishment I encountered-a trendy nightclub pulsating with life. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and alcohol, the beat of the music thumping against my chest. I approached the bar, trying to catch the attention of the bartender. "Excuse me," I said, my voice was barely audible over the blaring music. "I'm looking for a night job. Do you have any openings?" The bartender glanced at me, his face revealing a mix of indifference and annoyance. "We're not hiring," he replied curtly, turning his attention back to the rowdy customers.Undeterred, I continued my search.I walked from one establishment to another, repeating my plea for employment.Some outright ignored me, while others dismissed me with a dismissive wave of their hand. Each rejection chipped away at my spirit, but I refused to let despair consume me as I know how much I needed the Job to keep surviving pending when I get the Trial Call. As the night wore on,I found myself in a small, dimly lit café tucked away in a quiet corner of the city where I've stopped to take a breath before going back home to Rest for the night, The sound of laughter and conversation floated gently through the air. The café exuded a sense of warmth and intimacy that set it apart from the bustling clubs I had encountered earlier and I just felt the courage to try again there,Hesitant yet hopeful,I approached the café's owner, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile."Excuse me, ma'am," I said, mustering my courage. "I'm looking for a night job. I'm willing to work hard and learn. Do you have any openings?" The woman looked at me with a hint of empathy in her eyes as I've really looked it from my struggles that night. She sensed the desperation and determination in my voice,Taking a moment to consider, she finally spoke "I don't have any vacancies at the moment," she said softly. "But I admire your persistence. Come back tomorrow, and we'll see if something opens up." Gratitude washed over me completely as I was already so hopefully that I'm coming tomorrow to get a positive feedback from her,I thanked her profusely.The flicker of hope burned brighter within me, fueling my determination to return the next day.

Over the following days,I continued my search every night while awaiting the Cafe owner's call,exploring new avenues and knocking on countless doors. Some Nights I faced ridicule and prejudice,while other Nights I encountered moments of compassion and understanding like from the Cafe Owner the first Night and each experience shaped me, molding my character and reinforcing my resolve, there's alot to learn about life if we go outside. Weeks turned into months and when I was just about to give up on both the Academy Trial Call and Job Search,my relentless pursuit eventually paid off on the Job Search. One fateful evening I received a call from the café owner from the first night offering me a chance to prove myself,They had a temporary opening as a waiter, and I quickly grabbed the opportunity as I was to begin the next evening, I quickly ran to the Cafe to meet with her and discuss my shifts while also waiting around to see how work around there is done, was so Happy to finally be getting a Job after my Long Search. starting the Job and knowing I will finally start earning to keep myself afloat reignited my passion for the Dream I came all the way here to Pursue and I finally got the sense that now I'm a man on my own, I waved my Final Goodbye to Familiarity.

The café became my sanctuary, a place where I could earn a living while nurturing my dreams. As I stepped into my role as a waiter,I embraced the late-night shifts with unwavering determination every day after already training and playing with the men earlier.The city's heartbeat pulsed through the café's doors and I'm there every night dancing to its rhythm.But the struggle of balancing work and football soon became apparent.The nights spent serving customers and cleaning tables left me physically and mentally exhausted most times.

Yet,I refused to let my fatigue be an excuse as I remind myself every morning of my main reason of coming here which is the dream of becoming a professional football player and this desdire burned within me fully knowing that sacrifices had to be made.

On one particular evening, after a grueling shift at the café,I found myself at the brink of exhaustion and the team was to play a Game the next morning against a Team from the Norwegian Second Division, it was to be a Friendly and the Coach has informed me of Norwegian Scouts coming to watch this game, maybe I shouldn't have gone to work that night before the Game I kept saying to myself as my body ached from the long hours spent on my feet. Doubt clouded my mind and whispering that I couldn't possibly give my best with the weight of exhaustion bearing down on me,As I stared at my worn-out reflection in the mirror,I was looking like I would melt into the uniform I was wearing, a surge of determination coursed through my veins.I always knew that success required perseverance and that dreams were not realized without sacrifice. With a deep breath,I made a promise to myself to push through the fatigue and to overcome the hurdles that threatened to obstruct my path.I rushed home straight after the close of my shift and immersed myself into a Ice Bath to Help Relax my Muscles, The Coaches said it works but that was the first time I will truly be trying that, I forgot myself completely in the bath tub as the Ice Numbed my Nerves, It was a Painful feeling at first but became very soothing later, I was deep in the Ice for over 2 hours recovering from the very hectic day I've had, got out to shower then went to sleep.

The game the following day will be a test of my physical and mental resilience.It was the sound of the Alarm that woke me up and I had to rush my little home workout and a little meal before heading straight to the Stadium,I was amongst the first to arrive,met the coach and 3 of the team guys already doing some work on the field, The morning sun illuminated the field as I changed into my training gears with still tired and sleepy eyes and yet a determined heart, laced up my boots and joined them in the light warm up,The familiar scent of freshly cut grass invigorated my senses as I joined my teammates on the pitch.the rest of the team joined up with us almost immediately as I got there and preparations started in full, the coach sat us down and gave match instructions while calling out the starters of which my name was called amongst, I was so happy to know I will be starting the Game as I couldn't wait to show the scouts coming to watch that I'm better than the current level I'm playing in, I want a chance in the very top also and I'm confident that I can reach there. the team we were to play against arrived shortly after also and did their warm up right opposite us at the other half of the pitch, the Game started shortly after,the match was an intense one,more physically demanding than I've ever witnessed since I got to Oslo with the opposing team pushing hard to claim victory,the difference in quality between our team and theirs was so glaring.my muscles screamed with each sprint and body yearning for rest. But I fought on with a mission on my,my passion burning brighter than ever as I was playing a very important position in the Game as the advanced Midfielder. In the final moments of the game with the opposing team leading us with a goal,with my legs heavy and my lungs gasping for air, I seized a perfect opportunity-a perfectly timed pass came from the full back and I sighted a free zone to run behind the opposition who weren't expecting anyone to still have the energy to exploit such gap at that moment in the game,with a burst of speed I dashed into this zone and the Opponents Defenders chase in Desperation but could not get a hold of me before I could unleash a precise strike that sent the ball sailing into the net.The crowd erupted in celebration,the Locals have come to watch their Local team play against a Professional team,I could hear the Shouts of My Name from the stands and was really relieved that it was me who handed them that moment but my mind was immediately diverted to work as soon as the final whistle blasted.I had tasted triumph, but the journey had only just begun. The café awaited me, and the rhythm of my life demanded balance at that moment.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months.My routine became a finely tuned symphony, a delicate harmony of late-night shifts at the café and dedicated training sessions during the day. The café owner, recognizing my determination and noticed how weary I came to work every night while still ensuring I never missed a shift or act lackadaisical with work became more flexible with my schedule, ensuring I had enough time to rest and recover with a one day off one day on shift,As the seasons changed,My skills on the pitch flourished.my hard work and dedication didn't go unnoticed at the Friendly Game and word of my talent began to spread amongst Scouts from local football clubs around,they started to frequent our team matches, their eyes fixed on my development and enquiries about me were made from the Coach who referred them to my Agent (Coach Ade) . The possibility of turning my dreams into reality grew stronger with each passing day.However, as success beckoned, so did the temptation to abandon my nocturnal job. The hours at the café limited my time for rest and recovery, and the fatigue threatened to consume me. Doubts crept in, whispering that I couldn't give my best on the pitch while working late nights.In the midst of this internal struggle,I approached the Cafe Owner who has always been kind with me to let her know of my difficulties with balancing my life at work and my ambitious struggle of actualizing my dreams,I found solace in the café owner's wise words. "Dreams are not made in comfort," she told me that evening, her eyes sparkling with wisdom. "Success is not handed on a silver platter. Embrace your challenges, for they are the stepping stones to greatness."" you will find it harder to cope with training if you stopped earning money to sustain yourself here". Her words resonated within me, awakening a newfound resolve.I realized that evening that my journey was not just about football but also about the strength of my character.I had come to Oslo seeking a better life, and I was determined to carve my path, no matter how challenging it may be.

With renewed determination,I embraced the late-night shifts at the café as a source of inspiration.I saw the tired faces of the patrons, their weary eyes seeking solace and comfort. Each interaction became an opportunity to connect, to understand the struggles of others, and to draw motivation from their stories.Weeks pass by and my persistence bore fruit.My talent on the football field garnered attention beyond the borders of Oslo. Offers from professional clubs started pouring in as Coach Ade Called me to be discussing these opportunities with me, With a mix of excitement and apprehension,I faced a decision that would shape my future. I had grown attached to the café, to the familiar faces and the bond he had formed with the owner to this environment,to the Lads at the Local Team But my dreams called out to me, beckoning me to take the leap into the unknown.The Leap into the Phase I've been preparing for all this while. In a heartfelt conversation with the café owner, I expressed my gratitude for the opportunities I had been given.I explained his dreams of becoming a professional football player and the offers I had received. Though tinged with sadness, the café owner's eyes gleamed with pride."Go, my dear," she said, her voice filled with warmth and encouragement. "You were never meant to stay here forever. Chase your dreams and make us proud."And so, with a mix of excitement and trepidation, I bid farewell to the café that had been my work home since I got to Oslo. I left behind memories, gratitude, and the lessons I had learned through countless nights of hard work.As I embarked on the next phase of My journey, I carried the rhythm of My dreams in My heart. The café had taught me the value of resilience and sacrifice, instilling within me an unshakable belief in my abilities. The path ahead was uncertain, but I was ready. With the memories of late-night shifts and early morning training sessions,I stepped forward, guided by the whispers of the night and the unwavering beat of my dreams that has struggled so much in the Past weeks to Survive.