Our Coach – Chapter 6

Our Coach – Chapter 6 – Nigerian Story, Football, Dapo, Sports Story, Read Free Stories Online, Free Web Novel, Fabling, Pam

The locker room buzzed with ‘game-day’ energy. Laughter echoed off the walls, mixing with the sharp rustle of jerseys and the metallic clinks of locker doors shutting. The team, dressed in their green and white kits, exuded high spirits as they prepared for their first match of the season.

Coach James stood near the planning board, his frame bent over as he adjusted the markers and diagrams. Beside him, the team captain, already suited up, studied the board with intensity. Meanwhile, Sean Swift, as silent as ever, stretched in a corner, his movements were fluid and deliberate.

Across the room, Dapo sat beside Max, lacing up his boots. Uche and a few of the others roared with laughter at one of James’s jokes. But Dapo, ever observant, leaned closer to Max.

“Does Swift ever talk?” he whispered.

Max glanced at him, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Yes.”

Dapo frowned. “I’ve never heard him talk.”

Max chuckled, leaning back against the bench. “That’s because he doesn’t like you enough to bother.”

As if sensing the scrutiny, Sean Swift paused mid-stretch and turned his sharp gaze toward Dapo. Embarrassed, Dapo quickly looked away, focusing instead on the others.

Coach James’s whistle cut through the chatter like a blade. “Alright, listen up!” he called, his authoritative voice silencing the room. “Captain’s going to break down the match plan for you.”

The players fell quiet, all eyes turning to the Captain. Even Sean froze, caught mid-stretch in a position that would’ve looked ridiculous on anyone else but him.

“There are twenty-two teams in the competition,” the Captain began, gesturing toward the board. “For the first phase, the matches are organized alphabetically and in reverse alphabetical order. So, Alpha Wolves face Zion Thunder, and so on. We’re up against Unstoppable. After we win—”

Eric interrupted with a groan. “I’ve never heard of any of these teams.”

“Neither do I,” Lanre chimed in. “You’ll be afraid if you have.’”

The Captain shook his head with a faint smile, while Coach James clapped his hands to regain their attention. “Let me take it from here, Captain. Now, about the formation. We don’t know much about our opponents’ playstyle, so we’ll start with the pyramid—something you’re all familiar with.” He paused. “Now get out there and kick some butts!”

The room erupted in cheers. Even Swift joined in, fist-bumping his teammates. Dapo, however, stood awkwardly at the edge of the group, still not feeling like a team mate.

Uche sidled up to him with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You know scouts will be in the audience today,” he said. “Better play like your life depends on it.”




The Abuja football field was alive with activity. Cheers from the growing crowd mixed with the sharp blasts of the referee’s whistle as Green Stars took on Unstoppable.

From the first whistle, Dapo was electric—too electric. He darted across the field, weaving through opponents and teammates alike with a singular focus. Passes were opportunities missed, his teammates left trailing as he seized every ball. And it worked—at least on the scoreboard. Five goals in the first half, all courtesy of Dapo’s unrelenting drive.

Watch Dapo play had earned Coach James’s face a few new wrinkles on his forehead. The rest of the Green Stars looked just as unhappy, their anger simmering beneath their forced cheers.

When the whistle signaled halftime, Dapo, oblivious to the brewing storm, sprinted around the field, basking in the crowd’s adoration. He even tried to fist-bump Max, but Max turned him sharply toward their teammates, their faces mirroring the fury of their coach.

Dapo’s gaze drifted to the stands, where he spotted Daniella, her laughter lighting up her face as she leaned toward an older man dripping in wealth. The sight made his chest tighten, though he couldn’t tell if it was envy, disappointment, or something else entirely.

Max’s voice brought him back to the present. “Let’s go,” he said, leading Dapo toward the coach.

“What was that?” Coach James snapped the moment they reached him. His voice, though controlled, trembled with restrained anger. “Dapo, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Winning,” Dapo replied.

Coach James’s face darkened. “It’s not winning if it’s not done as a team! You might as well have been out there alone!”

Before Dapo could respond, Coach’s words were cut off by a sudden fit of coughing. He staggered to a seat, reaching for a bottle of water and popping a few pills into his mouth.

“Captain,” he rasped, “take over.”

The Captain nodded, turning to the team with a knowing smile.





The second half began, but this time, it wasn’t Dapo’s game. The team, united in their frustration, worked together—but not with him. Every pass deliberately bypassed Dapo, their teamwork a silent rebellion.

The strategy left the team vulnerable. Unstoppable, their opponents, capitalized on the disarray, dominating possession and making relentless attempts at the goal. Yet, despite their efforts, every shot was thwarted by Sean Swift. His performance was nothing short of miraculous, each save more daring than the last.

The crowd grew larger, their cheers echoing across the field as Sean’s heroics continued. When the final whistle blew, it wasn’t Dapo they hailed. It was Sean Swift, hoisted high by his teammates, their cheers ringing out in unison.

Dapo watched from the sidelines, his jaw tight. Ignored and excluded, he walked to Coach James, who didn’t even look at him.

“You’re benched for the next match,” the coach said flatly.

Dapo’s heart sank. Captain approached, guilt etched on his face, but Coach James waved him off, shaking his head in silence before walking away.





Dapo trudged down the dusty path leading out of Abuja Stadium, his sports bag slung over one shoulder. The evening sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the sprawling field behind him. With his free hand, he lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply, the sharp taste of nicotine cutting through the bitter taste of disappointment. The cheers from the match were a distant echo now, drowned by his simmering frustration.

“Hey, wait up!”

The voice was familiar, soft yet assertive. Dapo slowed his already languid pace but didn’t turn around. Daniella’s hurried footsteps caught up with him, her polished presence contrasting sharply with his disheveled state.

“That match,” she began, slightly breathless, “was something else. It felt like a publicity stunt. If that’s what you guys were going for, then congratulations—you nailed it.”

Dapo exhaled a plume of smoke, his expression unreadable. “It wasn’t,” he replied flatly.

Her nose wrinkled as the smoke drifted toward her. “Could you not smoke around me, please?”

His lips twitched into a mocking smirk. “What’s this? Your sugar daddy let you out of his sight, and now you’re here to kill my joy?”

Daniella blinked, taken aback. “Sugar daddy? Are you serious?” Her voice sharpened, but her composure remained intact. “That man you saw me with is my father. He’s one of the major sponsors of this competition.”

Dapo narrowed his eyes, skepticism etched across his face. “Your father?”

“Yes, my father,” she said, enunciating each word deliberately. “I live in Abuja, but I’m currently serving in Lagos.”

He still didn’t believe her, his silence heavy with doubt.

Daniella straightened. “My surname is Badejo. I’m the daughter of Biodun Badejo—owner of BB Conglomerate.”

For a moment, Dapo stared at her, his cigarette hanging limply from his lips.

“And while we’re at it,” she continued, “get that cigarette out of my face.”

Before he could respond, a towering man approached them, his casual attire doing little to mask the menacing aura he exuded. The Buff Man’s eyes darted between them, his brow furrowed.

“Ma’am,” the Buff Man said in a low, gravelly voice, “is this boy harassing you?”

Daniella tilted her head, a sweet yet mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Not exactly. But take his cigarette and smash it, please.”

Dapo tensed as the Buff Man’s scowl deepened. Reluctantly, he handed over the cigarette, watching as it was crushed under the man’s shoe.

“Thank you,” Daniella said sweetly, the smile still lingering on her face. She turned to face Dapo while still addressing the man. “Now, step far away from me. You know I don’t like being seen with you.”

The Buff Man nodded and retreated, leaving the two of them alone once more.

Daniella fished a card out of her purse and tucked it into Dapo’s jacket pocket. “Here,” she said, her voice softer now. “Call me when you don’t smell like cigarettes.”

Before he could process her words, she turned on her heel and walked away, her poise and confidence unshaken. Dapo stood rooted to the spot.

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