The morning Khali and Bello signed their youth contracts, the sky over Manchester was painted gold with dawn.Inside the academy's press room, photographers adjusted cameras, and coaches lined the walls, proud smiles on their faces.
A long table stood at the front, two crisp white jerseys neatly folded on top — both with the Manchester City crest gleaming under the lights.Beneath one jersey was the name KHALI USMAN, and beneath the other, BELLO YUSUF.
Coach Roberts called them forward."Gentlemen, this moment isn't a finish line — it's the start of a new race."
Khali took a deep breath as he signed his name on the contract. The pen shook slightly in his hand.For a second, he saw flashes of Zangola — the dusty field, his father's workshop, the old football by the mango tree.
He smiled. This is for all of them.
Bello signed next, his grin unstoppable. "Bro, I swear this pen feels like gold!"
Laughter rippled through the room.
Then the director stepped forward, holding the two jerseys."Welcome to Manchester City," he said, handing them their shirts. "You've earned this badge — now protect it."
Khali held his jersey against his chest, feeling the smooth fabric, the stitched crest, the weight of a lifelong dream finally made real.
The First Day as City Players
Their new training ground was different from anything they'd known — modern, polished, surrounded by City banners and glass buildings that reflected the morning light.
Each youth player had a locker with their name engraved in silver. When Khali saw his — K. Usman – #14 — his heart nearly burst with pride.
But pride soon gave way to reality.The youth league was faster, stronger, and full of players hungry to move up.
During their first session, Coach Roberts' voice echoed across the field."Welcome to the real City, lads! Out here, every mistake has an audience!"
The pressure was immediate. Passes flew like lightning, tackles landed hard, and Khali had to fight to stay composed.Still, his link with Bello stood out — a pass here, a quick give-and-go there. Their connection was undeniable.
After training, the senior assistant coach approached them."Good chemistry," he said. "Keep it sharp. You'll be starting in the youth league opener next week."
Khali and Bello exchanged glances — they were starting.
A Visitor from Home
A few days before their debut, Khali received a surprise message at the academy reception."Someone's here to see you," the receptionist said with a smile.
When Khali stepped outside, he froze.There, standing by the gate, was a familiar face — his father, wearing his old mechanic's jacket, eyes shining with pride.
"Baba?"
His father's smile was wide. "You didn't think I'd miss your first match, did you?"
Khali rushed forward and hugged him tightly. "How did you even get here?"
"I saved, son," his father said softly. "Every coin I could spare. I told your mother — my boy's going to make history."
Khali's throat tightened. "Thank you, Baba."
His father looked at the academy buildings, the fields, the boys training in sky blue. "It's beautiful here," he said. "But remember — it started back home. Don't ever forget that."
Khali nodded. "Never."
The Youth League Debut
Match day.The stands were buzzing with fans, parents, and scouts. The sky hung low, gray and heavy with drizzle — classic Manchester weather.
Khali adjusted his armband and looked over at Bello."Ready?"
Bello grinned. "Born ready."
The whistle blew.
From the start, the pace was electric. The opposing team pressed high, testing City's young midfield. Khali quickly found his rhythm, directing play, spreading passes.
In the 35th minute, he intercepted a ball and launched a long pass to Bello, who darted between defenders and slotted it into the bottom corner.
Goal!
Khali raised his hands toward the stands — and there he saw his father, standing in the rain, clapping proudly.
For a moment, everything else faded — the cold, the crowd, the noise. It was just him, his dream, and the man who had believed in him first.
After the Game
City won 2–0.As Khali and Bello walked off the pitch, soaked in sweat and rain, Coach Roberts clapped them both on the back."Well done, lads. You didn't just wear the badge — you honored it."
Bello laughed. "Coach, we're just getting started!"
Khali smiled quietly, looking down at his jersey, the City crest shining under the floodlights.He thought of Zangola again, the nights he trained under the stars, the times he almost gave up.
Now, here he was — wearing the badge of one of the biggest clubs in the world.
And he knew this was still just the beginning.