The news came on an ordinary Thursday morning — but it changed everything.
Khali was halfway through breakfast when Coach Roberts entered the dining hall, his voice calm but heavy."Listen up, lads. Some of you may have heard the rumors — it's true. Bello Yusuf has accepted an offer from Manchester United's youth development program."
The spoon dropped from Khali's hand.He blinked, not sure he'd heard right. "Coach… Bello?"
Coach Roberts nodded. "United made him a strong offer. They see him as a future first-team striker. He leaves at the end of the week."
The hall filled with whispers.Khali sat frozen, staring at his plate, his thoughts spinning.
Bello… my brother… my teammate.
Goodbye at the Training Ground
Later that day, Khali found Bello out on the training pitch, juggling a ball alone under the cloudy Manchester sky.
"You weren't going to tell me?" Khali said quietly.
Bello caught the ball with his foot, sighing. "I was, bro. I just… didn't know how."
Khali's voice hardened. "We dreamed of this together. City — the same badge, the same path. Now you're joining our rivals?"
Bello looked down. "It's not about rivalry, Khali. It's about opportunity. They promised I'll train with the senior reserves by next season. I can't turn that down."
Khali turned away, anger and confusion battling in his chest."So what happens to 'together till the top,' huh?"
Bello stepped closer. "It still means something. Just… maybe not on the same team anymore."
For a moment, neither spoke. The rain began to fall softly, pattering against the turf like tiny reminders of everything they'd shared.
Finally, Khali nodded. "Then I guess we'll meet again — on opposite sides."
Bello smiled sadly. "And may the best man win."
A Rival is Born
A week later, Bello was gone — traded blue for red.The newspapers picked it up immediately:
MANCHESTER UNITED SIGN YOUNG NIGERIAN STRIKER BELLO YUSUF FROM CITY'S ACADEMY."He's a future star," United's academy coach said. "Quick, strong, and fearless."
Khali read the article twice. His chest tightened.Everywhere he went, people whispered about the "Zangola Duo" now split between Manchester's two biggest clubs.
Even at training, teammates teased him lightly."Your best mate's a Red now, Khali!"He just smiled tightly and kept training harder.
When the next youth derby was announced — Manchester City U19 vs. Manchester United U19 — the whole academy buzzed.
Khali's heart burned with quiet fire.If Bello's now the enemy, then I'll face him like one — on the pitch.
The Derby Day
The stands were packed. The air was electric — chants, drums, banners waving red and blue.In the tunnel, Khali adjusted his armband, staring straight ahead.
From the opposite end, Bello appeared, wearing red. His eyes found Khali's — the briefest flash of emotion crossed both faces.
No words. Just understanding.
The whistle blew.
From kickoff, the match was brutal — tackles flying, crowds roaring. Khali dominated midfield, controlling tempo and breaking attacks. Bello was a constant threat up front, fast and ruthless.
In the 42nd minute, Bello received a pass near the box, twisted past two defenders, and buried the ball into the net.Goal! 1–0 United.
He didn't celebrate wildly — just looked across the field at Khali, expression unreadable.
But in the 78th minute, Khali got his revenge.A free kick. Thirty yards out.He struck it clean — the ball curling past the wall, dipping into the top corner.Goal! 1–1.
The stadium exploded.
For a heartbeat, time froze — Khali and Bello locked eyes again, pride and pain mixing in their stares.
This was no longer just friendship. It was rivalry — deep, fierce, and unforgettable.
After the Match
The game ended 1–1. Both boys were named Men of the Match.
As the crowd dispersed, Khali found Bello near the tunnel.Bello smiled faintly. "Guess we both still got it."
Khali nodded. "Yeah. But next time, I'm winning."
Bello laughed. "We'll see, City boy."
They bumped fists — not as teammates, but as rivals who respected each other more than anyone else on the pitch.
As they walked away in opposite directions, the Manchester rain began to fall again, washing over the turf where two boys from Zangola had turned their shared dream into two blazing paths.