The morning air in Manchester was cool and sharp, carrying the faint scent of rain. The sun had barely risen, yet the academy was already alive — coaches shouting drills, boots thudding against turf, and players warming up under the floodlights.
Khali laced his new blue training boots nervously. He still couldn't believe he was here — in England, wearing Manchester City colors.Then he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Need some competition, or are you planning to conquer Manchester alone?"
Khali turned, stunned — and then his face broke into a wide grin.
"Bello?!"
Standing there, with the same mischievous smile from Zangola, was Bello — wearing the City academy jacket.
Khali ran up and hugged him. "What are you doing here?!"
Bello laughed. "Coach Maxwell sent my match videos too. The scouts liked our partnership. They said where there's Khali, there's Bello. So here I am."
Khali's eyes watered. "You serious? We're in this together again?"
"Like always," Bello said, punching his shoulder lightly. "Let's show them what Nigerian boys can do."
The First Day of Trials
The academy's training field looked like a dream — trimmed grass so smooth it shimmered, surrounded by glass buildings and banners of Manchester City legends.Dozens of young players from around the world were there — from Brazil, Spain, Japan, Ghana, and England itself.
A tall man in a navy-blue tracksuit blew his whistle sharply."Welcome to Manchester City Academy. I'm Coach Roberts. You're here because you're the best of your countries. But only a few of you will earn permanent places."
He looked around. "Talent brought you here. Discipline will keep you here."
Khali and Bello exchanged a glance. They knew the drill.
"Now, pairs," the coach barked. "Warm-up passes. Show me chemistry."
Khali and Bello grinned. "This will be easy," Bello whispered.
Their passes were quick, clean, and almost telepathic — the kind of coordination only childhood friends shared.The other boys stopped to watch. Even the coach raised an eyebrow.
"Nice rhythm," he muttered. "Nigeria boys — very sharp."
Khali smiled but didn't relax. He knew this was just the start.
Facing the Competition
As drills turned to practice matches, the pressure rose. The European players were tall, fast, and confident. One in particular — a blonde English midfielder named Oliver Shaw — played with authority, barking orders like a captain.
During a scrimmage, Oliver's team faced Khali's."Watch number eight," Coach Roberts shouted. "He's the Nigerian playmaker!"
Oliver grinned. "Let's see if you can handle real football, mate."
The whistle blew. Khali received the first pass — instantly, Oliver pressed him hard. The pace was faster than anything Khali had faced in Nigeria. His first touch was nearly too heavy, but he recovered quickly, spinning away and sliding a perfect through ball to Bello, who chipped it into the net.
1–0.
Oliver blinked in surprise. "Not bad," he said grudgingly.
Khali just smiled. "We learn fast."
Pressure and Progress
Over the next few days, the trials became tougher. Morning drills were brutal — strength tests, tactical challenges, and nonstop matches. Many players struggled. Some even gave up halfway.
But Khali and Bello stayed strong.At night, when others were too tired to move, they practiced under the dim dorm lights, passing the ball softly between them in the hallway.
"Bello," Khali whispered one night, "this place is like another world."
Bello chuckled. "Maybe. But the ball still rolls the same way."
Khali nodded. "Then we'll make it here — together."
The Final Evaluation
After a week of intense trials, the academy staff gathered all the players in the main hall.Coach Roberts stepped forward, clipboard in hand.
"Every one of you showed skill," he said, "but Manchester City doesn't just look for talent — we look for partnerships, vision, and character."
He began calling names.One by one, players were thanked and dismissed — until finally, Roberts looked up.
"For the under-17 squad, we have selected… Khali Danladi and Bello Adamu."
For a heartbeat, the hall went silent. Then Khali's eyes widened. Bello grinned from ear to ear.
"WE MADE IT!" Bello shouted, throwing his arm around Khali.
The other players clapped, some even cheering for them. Coach Roberts smiled faintly."You two remind me of Silva and Agüero," he said. "Keep that chemistry — it'll take you far."
A New Chapter Begins
Later that evening, Khali stood on the training pitch under the lights. The city skyline glowed in the distance. Bello jogged up beside him.
"Think they'll ever let us play at the Etihad?" Bello asked, gazing at the horizon.
Khali smiled. "One day. When we're ready."
They stood in silence, listening to the wind sweeping across the empty field. Then Khali whispered softly,"From Zangola… to Manchester. Who would've believed it?"
Bello laughed. "Only us."
Khali placed a hand on his chest. "This is just the beginning."
As the stadium lights flickered off one by one, two young silhouettes stood side by side — brothers in football, chasing a dream that had crossed oceans.