Virtue Precedes Winning

Virtue Precedes Winning

Photo by Yogendra Singh

"Did you watch the last match between the Pedrons and the Great Eagles?" Charles asked Peter while they were dining at his house.

"Man, that was total nonsense, I couldn't believe my eyes when Chrisos slapped the referee for giving him a red card after he pushed Kefas when he scored his team. What has the game of soccer turned into?" He replied after taking a sip from the glass of juice set before him.

"I thought I was the only one who was concerned about that scenario, that was total indiscipline, those guys were just playing the game as if it had no rules. I wonder who their coach is. If it was in our day, both the coach and his team would have lost their careers by now," Charles responded.

Peter chuckled, and said, "You remember when I got a one-week suspension from Coach Andrew for just making a move to push Daniel for matching me unintentionally?"

Hehehe, Charles laughed, "I remember the looks on your face that day, you instantly became humble, I felt sorry for you though. But you deserved it," Charles replied, still laughing.

"I learned my lessons, I know what that period of being benched for a whole week felt like. We are not enemies, the game is for us to have fun and learn from each other. I wonder why others play with evil motives," Peter responded.

While still laughing, Charles said, "Look at us talking about manners in football but we don't have any at the table, please let's finish up the food before it gets cold."

Charles was one of the best players in Whales during his youth, he has played football locally and internationally. Apart from the many attributes he has in the game of soccer, he was also known for sportsmanship, his colleagues fondly called him Sportmanshipo in those days.

Peter was his best friend and also a good player those days. They were like twin, playing with skill and
Kindness.

But nothing lasts forever, age catches up with them and they soon retire. It seemed like ever since they retired, the game of football went dark, people played for selfish reasons, going to any length to win just to earn names for themselves, and indiscipline and opposition also overtook the game.

Charles got tired of seeing something like this and started looking for a way to restore order and discipline to the game of football. He doesn't see soccer as a game alone but also as a way of life.

One fateful evening, after taking a long walk as his daily routine is, he decided to call Peter since he had nothing to do at home.

"Hey man, where are you?" Charles asked on the phone

"The Great, Sportmanshipo, I am at the city stadium, there is this match I am currently watching, why don't you join me?" Peter suggested.

"You won't let go of that name right? Anyway, I am on my way. Please wait by the gate so that I can easily locate you when I come," Charles replied.

"Alright bro, see you at the gate," Peter replied as he dropped the call.

In a few seconds, Charles was there, and as promised Peter was right there waiting for him, they shook hands and walked inside.

After presenting their tickets to the security, they were seated at the Place reserved for VIPs because of their reputation.

The whole place was crowded like old times, there were different people with different sound instruments, some wearing the colors of the team they were supporting, some looking happy, some sad.

The echoes of people cheering their players could be heard everywhere in the place. Even though the match didn't beat Charles' expectations, for the first time, Charles felt at ease watching football live seated in the venue after his retirement about a decade ago.

"You know why I asked to see you?" Charles uttered loudly because of the noise, moving his head and body to the beats fans were making to cheer their teams.

"I can't hear you, Charles, maybe we should get going since the match is almost over, we can talk on our way," Peter responded.

"Okay man," Charles shouted and they both stood up and walked out.

"So champ, what is it you wanted us to talk about?" Peter inquired.

"I know it might sound crazy but just listen to me, I want us to build up a football team," Charles replied.

"What?" Peter laughed, "Sorry about that but that's funny. Do you know what you're saying at all? That will be a very huge task bro, I am retired and am not in for any stress," Peter added.

"Hmm, but it was you who said, you are not pleased with the way people play football nowadays, why don't we build something different? Why don't set up a standard that everyone will look up to when it comes to football? We have these things laid in us, let us pass it on to another generation," Charles replied.

"You know what, man? I'll get back to you," Peter responded as they boarded a taxi.

The next day in the morning, Charles called Peter. The conversation was going smoothly but as soon as he brought up the matter of raising a team again, Peter's tone changed instantly. "You know what, Charles? I'll get back to you after breakfast," Peter ended the conversation and hung up the call.

It became a big issue for Charles because Peter was the only person he relied on but he refused to give up. Alone he started visiting local teams in the vicinity where he lives and observing their good players. It was a very easy thing for him because he is a single man. The reasons for not getting married are best known to him

After a while he followed some of them up and told them about his intentions, some bought into the idea, some laughed and walked away.

He kept accumulating players and as time went on, he got a full team. He bought a parcel of land and created a pitch for them,
Charles dedicated his time building these boys every evening, building not just skills but morals as well.

When Peter saw that Charles wouldn't give up on his dreams, he later joined him and together they groomed the boys into a mighty team and named it "The Great Black Whales," after their former team, though they added "the great black" to it.

They have been known for their prowess and good character in the game. Gradually they became known in their vicinity due to their coach's reputation and were given a life-changing opportunity to play with one of the international teams.

Charles was not even concerned about them being signed, he just wanted to show the world that the game of soccer is supposed to be a game of love, discipline, and peace.

"How time flies, so in a few days it will be the day we get to show the world what we've been cooking," Peter teased Charles, chuckling under the influence of excitement.

"Yes brother, if not for you this would not have been realized," Charles replied lying on his back on the plastic chair he sat in the stadium, with his eyes closed. They had been practicing throughout the day. Without taking breaks as usual.

"We both made this happen, man," Peter replied but he got no response, Charles was already far asleep. He drew near and tapped him, "let's go home man, you look exhausted," Peter suggested.

"You got me," Charles affirmed when he opened his eyes.

They dismissed the boys, reminding them to get prepared for their flight to England which is in two days.

"Wow! I never imagined this stadium is this big," Charles whispered to Peter when they walked into England's stadium on the day of the match.

The stadium was crowded, you could barely see an empty seat in that 2000 capacity stadium, there were different sounds coming from different angles, some for mockery and some for comfort.

The match between The Great Black Whales and The Deadly Dragons is one of the matches everyone wanted to watch, although The Great Black Whales was not famous, everyone wanted to see them play because Charles was their coach.

"Line up boys, Be mindful of the way you play out there, it's not always about winning, it's about your safety and character, your opponent is not an enemy but a friend, and don't forget to play by rules, and play fair. Now go in there and have some fun," Coach Charles charged his team with Peter standing beside him.

"Yes, sir the boys" responded, as the match into the pitch full of energy. Piiiiiii, the referee blew the whistle and the match commenced.

This was the first time the great black whales were going for an international match, it looked all new to them.

They were scored one zero (1-0), and within the first ten minutes, they looked so confused. It was such a pathetic situation. But Charles and Peter never gave up encouraging them from the technical area using gestures.

Fifteen minutes later, black whales started picking up, overlooking almost every offense and attack brought to them by the Dragon.

One of the sights that caught everyone's attention was when Samuel, the Whale's striker was pushed to the ground by a dragon but stood up and hugged the player when the players reluctantly gave him a hand in an attempt to lift him up.

It turned into an emotional scene, it was never seen before in the game of soccer prior to that time. Black Whales, black whales, black whales, the spectators started cheering them.

The whales played the game according to the rule, not breaking even one.

They were able to score one goal in the eleventh hour. The match ended 2-1. Everyone was expecting to see them fight their opponent and disagree with the last goal because it was biased but they were seen hugging and shaking the Dragons.

It was something that was not seen for long in football. The crowd marked the Black Whales winners because of the character they displayed.

After the match, Charles and Peter hugged each of the boys. "That was a great one boys, this is what we call football, Charles kept reiterating as though they were the winners.

"I respect your team, sir, they showed very good sportsmanship during the game. This shows that you have been good coaches. The referee praised Charles and his friend Peter.

The great black whales became a great team internationally, though they didn't win that match, they were signed because of their discipline and Sportsmanship.

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