From Streets to Stages

Theophilus Ochenze was a renowned soccer player, known throughout the world for his numerous achievements in the sport. As a young player, only seventeen years of age, Theo was spotted by one of the world’s most renowned scouts - Joachim Lopez, while he played his favorite sport on the streets of Accra, Ghana. Fortunately for the energetic and agile Theo, Mr. Joachim was among the twenty-man audience who had come to watch Theo’s team play on the slightly busy streets of Accra. As fate had destined it, Theophilus would go on to bag a hat-trick to go with two assists he made earlier in his sides 7-1 mauling of their opponents. A hat trick in football terms meant a trio of goals scored in the same game while an assist referred to a key pass that led to a goal being scored by a team mate. At professional level, a hat trick scorer is often presented with the match ball by the referee in recognition of the feat. Joachim hesitated no further as the young lad’s quick pace and fast thinking were very attractive qualities which prompted him to recruit Theo. It was really exciting news for the Ochenze family as they had all previously nursed the idea of Theophilus becoming a professional soccer player either directly or indirectly, knowing that he was extremely gifted. Theophilus Ochenze was actually born a Nigerian, His late father was the reason for he and his family’s relocation to the West Coast. Having spent over ten years in Ghana they were adopted as citizens of the nation by naturalization. Perhaps Theo’s mother - Mr's. Dame Ochenze, had never nursed the idea of moving to a completely strange land but the late Mr. Jordan Ochenze would always admonish them, insisting it was an opportunity to meet new people, embrace a new culture and improve their finances. Notwithstanding, the Ochenzes were not a poor family, neither were they excessively rich. The late Mr. Jordan always had his family at heart and would do absolutely anything to guarantee their happiness. His untimely death was very bad news to the Ochenze ‘empire’. This meant that Theo would now take over from his late father as the man of the house at a really early stage in his life. Theo was only a high school graduate at the time of his father's death. Asides from having a West African Examination Certificate; which was now regarded in Western Africa as the fundamental academic qualification, he had no major educational achievements to his belt. The menial jobs he did were enough to complement his mother’s earnings from her little petty trading business which gave the family just enough to survive on a daily basis. Theo did a lot of jobs on a daily basis just to guarantee he and his family at least two-square meals each passing day. Some of the jobs he did included barrow pushing, hawking and on some occasions private tutoring for young primary school students. He always believed that whatever hardwork he did today would definitely guarantee his own children a better childhood where they wouldn't have to struggle to get whatever they wanted. All the same, Theo always insisted that anything that would deprive him of his set-out times for soccer practice was worth giving up. Dame Ochenze never ceased to remind her children that whatever condition they were in was only and ephemeral phase that they should never allow to define them. Theophilus was the first of three children - two boys and a girl. His outstanding prospects with the Ghanaian football team later on in his exciting career spoke for him wherever he went. ‘The Black Eagle’ as he was fondly called was a nickname that was coined from the two nations he was majorly associated with. ‘Black’ was coined from the ‘Black Stars of Ghana’ which had become the Ghanaian Football Team’s common name while the ‘Eagle’ was coined from the ‘Super Eagles of Nigeria’- one of the most dominant forces in African football at the time. Theophilus soon became a household soccer name leaving his footprints on the sands of footballing times. Soccer pundits who watched and analyzed the young lad in the early stages of his career were of the opinion that ‘Theo’ had a tremendously bright future in the sport. Indeed, any young football talent who was recruited by the renowned Joachim Lopez was bound to excel in the sport. Many encomiums had been dedicated to adulating his eagle's eye in selecting the cream of the crop and the fact that Theo had become his latest recruit only meant that he was surely a great prospect to watch. The Spaniard had a very excellent record in sighting young talents in the sport and bringing them to the limelight. Some other top football players who went on to become club legends in their various clubs, recruited by the same scout included one Portuguese Cristiano Bernardo and an Argentine Paulo Piatti; both of which had gone on to make enviable names for themselves in the sport. The pair had a total between them of Seven Ballon D’ors. The Ballon D'or was an annual honour given to celebrate the most prominent footballer on the global scene in a complete calendar year. The award was usually presented at the auspicious football awards ceremony held by football's governing body - FIFA. Theo; who had no relatives who were previously soccer players, often likened his style of play to that of Paulo Piatti. He had idolized the Argentine legend right from the tender age of seven. He and is father watched the veteran from terrestrial television probably almost every weekend while he played in the Premier League. He would usually pride himself on and off the pitch as ‘the Nigerian Piatti’. Theophilus was presented to different clubs with the possibility of being granted a football contract, by his scout; whom he later selected to be his agent. Some of the clubs who showed earnest interests in getting his signature included Liverpool Football Club of England, Bournemouth Football Club also of England, Fenerbache Futsal Klüb of Turkey as well as European giants at the time - Internazionale Milan FC of Italy. They were all huge offers with bumper welfare packages for he and his family. Internazionale offered him a contract worth close to 120,000 Euros-a-Week which would make the Ghanaian sensation to be amongst the world's highest earning teenage athletes. The entire gesture was completely mind-blowing for Theo’s family and even most of his friends. Maybe due to the impressionistic views many West Africans had about foreign currency. The final question mark however was on which club Theo would be playing for. He would have been thinking of joining Liverpool owing to the fact that Theo’s father was a loyal supporter of Liverpool club. As a kid, Theo and his father would sit together watching matches in the conventional bright-red Liverpool jerseys watching their favorite soccer stars do what they do best, but then, a better offer had come from a different club. One would call Theo a fool if he rejected the chance to play for Internazionale and join Liverpool where he would earn a lot less. Theo was in an absolute dilemma of choices. He didn’t want to disappoint his entire family’s expectation and neither did he want to forsake a little promise he made to his father on his death bed. On the eve of the day Mr. Jordan Ochenze passed on to eternal glory, his entire family stood by his bed; A large number of his family already in tears. Theophilus who had become of age at the time leaned beside his father. Jordan already knew of Theo’s excellent football prowress whispered into his ear, “Theo” “Yes Father”, he answered still sobbing. “You’re going to promise me two things”, “Aane Papa", Theo replied in Kwan dialect - The sub region of Accra where they spent most of their years in Ghana. Jordan said “You will become a Red”. “Anything for you Papa”, Theo replied “Secondly”, he coughed, “You will take me to every stadium of the world”. “Anything to make you happy dad”, Theo said as he feigned a smile while struggling to hold back his tears. Jordan finally gave up the ghost but left Theo with a mandate he knew he would fufill only by becoming a top-class professional footballer. The chance had finally come but another large and tempting offer stood in his way. The single issue that had bothered everyone ever since was that Theo's father died rather mysteriously. Even the most qualified medical practitioners wished they had the slightest idea of what went wrong with Mr. Jordan. After several hesitations in decision making, Theo announced to the world; who had anxiously been waiting, that he would be joining Liverpool Football Club on a 4-year deal with an option to extend the contract upon its expiration. Theophilus’ family were not the only one’s disappointed in his decision as millions of football writers, bloggers and supporters went ahead to criticize his decision on various social media platforms describing his decisions as 'foolish' and 'irrational'. Theo’s decision brought him all over the papers, most especially in Europe. The Portuguese papers all had the headlines ‘A ultima de cisao terrivel’. Leading Spanish newspaper - El Marca; despite celebrating its centenary of existence at the time had Theo’s pictures on it with the headlines ‘La ultima decision terrible’. The Italian and French sports news channels also had their says on the matter with stories that started with ‘Theo rifiutato enorme offerta da parte del Inter!!!’ and ‘Theo refuse une offer enorme pour devenir le mieux paye’ respectively. All these headlines carried a singular message and evoked some pressure on the youngster's shoulders. Theo didn’t speak on any of the stories in the press until only a few days till he would make his debut start in a Liverpool shirt in front of the ever exciting Liverpool supporters. Rarely did newly signed teenage players get a chance to feature in their teams opening league games, but it continued to seem like Theo's case would be different. Theo was aware of what playing in front of the Liverpool fans meant and he deemed himself match ready for the clash against Liverpool's familiar foes Everton. In a public message which had very few words, He said via his official i********: handle; “The whole world can be unhappy with my decision. As long as my late father is smiling down on me wherever is, I don’t care. Period.” The caption which was accompanied by a picture of him appearing to freestyle with a ball at Anfield which had been Liverpool's home ground for several years, was carried on by the press and he soon started to trend. This message struck his fans and supporters with a form of surprise. He was later commended for his decision to play football not just for the money by his new employers. Theo did not have any difficulties settling into Merseyside. Merseyside was the geographical location of Liverpool Football Club. Of course it wasn’t his first time of experience an entirely new place, but there was just something about Merseyside that his spirit connected to. It could have been their culture and ethnic beliefs, the friendly nature of all the individuals who stayed within or the various delicacies he always enjoyed. Six weeks had gone since he arrived and it was finally time for Theo to make his maiden appearance in front of the fans that sternly defended him throughout the turmoil he had faced on social media. Despite having not played a single minute for Liverpool, he had already amassed towering support from the die-hard Liverpool fans who were willing to be faithful to their club no matter what. As a matter of fact over £3.5 million had been generated by the Reds from sales of Liverpool shirts with Theo’s name imprinted on them. A very difficult task though, but Theo’s Liverpool were to face the defending champions, who were also their close neighbours - Everton. Theo and his manager at the time - Jose Sepp, both understood the task ahead and insisted that they were ready for the challenge. Another factor that drew more numbers against Liverpool was the fact that Theophilus’ childhood idol - Paulo Piatti, became an Everton player in the just concluded transfer window. It was poised to be a a testing game for both teams. Match day finally arrived and chants of ‘The Black Eagle is a Red’ could loudly be heard from both ends of a 49,500-full capacity Anfield Stadium. Theo was gifted with an early chance to prove that he could evolve into one of the very best in the world. In a not so shocking move by the Liverpool manager José Sepp, Theo started on the bench for the opening game of the season. The game began as planned and the weather conditions were absolutely perfect for the game of football. A tender heatwave hit town and the stage was perfectly set for Theo to make his first appearance. Liverpool, shockingly trailed by three goals to nothing. The Liverpool fans were absolutely devastated but the Evertonian fans could not have been happier. The three-time Ballom D’or winner - Paulo Piatti who had established himself as a phenomenal striker in Everton Blue struck the Liverpool goal three times within the space of just eleven minutes to send the Anfield Stadium into absolute silence. Some Liverpool fans had their heads in their hands, while a large portion of the Anfield crowd still looked enthusiastic while cheering their team despite going three goals down. The entire Liverpool Football club hierarchy who had come to cheer their team for its opening game of the season, but as fate would have it they started to regret too many decisions at such an early stage. Some impatient members of staff may have already begun to suggest that Jose Sepp should be sacked as Liverpool manager right away as their conversations just over the deck didn't look too inviting. Theophilus and his new teammates were preparing for the second half inside the spacious Liverpool dressing room. One thing that completely ecstated Theo was the commitment of the fans to their team. Even at three goals down , they still chanted ‘We never walk alone, no matter what’. Inspired by the relentless fans and supporters, ‘The Black Eagle’ walked up to his tensed and nervous manager and requested that he came on right away to save the game. Jose Sepp who was initially reluctant later said ‘Okay you’ll go on, just don’t make me regret this ‘. ‘Sure thing coach’, he replied with joy. The oldest member of the Liverpool squad, one 33 year old Leo Bartomeu was selected as the player to be brought off. The Spaniard was completely furious with the decision and angrily made his way to the sidelines as the second-half began. ‘Theophilus Ochenze is finally set to take to the grand stage to the amusement of the Liverpool fans’, the commentator said. Theo was surprisingly handed the number ten jersey for his debut season; a number that had eluded every other Liverpool debutant below the age of twenty. Theo pointed to the skies with both hands and looked up before finally making his way unto the pitch. ‘Theo’s introduction rewrites the entire script of the game’, the commentator re-instated. The commentator’s words couldn’t have been better said as Theo’s first touch of the game set up his teammate for Liverpool’s first goal of the season which showed that they were down in the game but not out. Before the 90th minute of the game, Theo scored a brace that drew Liverpool and Everton level and sent Anfield into delirium. The Anfield fans went wild and Liverpool became the first ever side to overturn a three-goal deficit at half-time. With only a few minutes of stoppage time left to play, Theo received the ball on the half-way line and dribbled past eight players in less than twenty-five seconds. His agility and quick feet always had the Liverpool supporters and even some Everton faithful up on their feet. Theo took a sensational curve shot on the edge of the box; with what was the last kick of the game, which found the top corner with ease and Liverpool were in front in the twinkle of an eye. ‘Anfield ignites and I do not think we’ll ever see a debut better than this’, said the commentator. The full-time whistle was blown and Liverpool emerged victorious! Theo was handed the man-of-the-match award for his brilliant match-winning display. Many book-makers now identified Theophilus Ochenze as the Red’s game changer but some pundits still felt it was too early to do such. The following morning, the British streets were flooded with newspapers which had the headlines ‘Theo ignites Anfield’. Theo in fact admitted to the press that being a savior for Liverpool on his first game for the Reds was mind-blowing. In his words he said ‘It’s so unbelievable and mind-blowing. But again I hope I continue to do this over and over again’. To wrap up what was a dream debut for a player who had an African background, Theo’s idol - Paulo Piatti gave him a handsake after which they exchanged shirts. Theo was eager to show that he had a mark to make on the footballing world.