Wayne Rooney on his first Epl Title.
These are the words that echoed at the back of my mind when I went upfront to lift the first ever Champions trophy for Predators Fc, the first one for everyone in the team, this was a dream come true. That feeling of walking towards the stage, everyone clapping, singing, screaming the team name, and seeing my father sit there with a smile applauding something no one was yet to do since his glory days ended, shall never be forgotten ever!
It was in London, United Kingdom in January 2012 that I had a dream of us lifting the trophy in the coming tournament to be held during August in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I was with my best friend, who I shared a flat with during University days- Ali D, that we were having lunch at home when I told him of this dream of mine. He simply looked at me and said: "We got to do it this time round, no excuses bro!" Since then, the only thing in my mind was to go back to Dar, play this and win it! Yes, this had to be our year, no matter what!
Predators Fc, has had a very rich history, which goes back in 2006 when the team was formed by a group of school friends, who hired a Coach to train them, the Late Peter, and paying him meant we had to save money at school. Its not like our parents never gave us money, but its because we wanted to do it with passion and show our love for the game. Fridays at 3pm we would all report for training and go through intense training, sometimes playing only 30 minutes of football, always put us off; but hey! it was for our good.
From then on, the team participated in various tournaments, however, it was yet to attain the success it always treasured. We played in 3 finals from then and were yet to win any and of course 2 semi finals! As we progressed, few of our players went abroad for studies and that meant we had lost important talent and we had to replace them with others, difficult, but not impossible.
The 10th of June 2012, I landed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, after being almost a year away from home, it was nothing short of emotional. I had lost my Grandmother when I was in Uk, and going back home was never going to be the same.
As soon as I got home, I was told that there is a mini tournament commencing the next day and the players had registered themselves, we didn't have our full team, but we gave it a shot. Too bad, we were kicked out in the group stages. There was only claim going around in the streets, "Predators are finished, they have lost the plot"
We regrouped ourselves and managed to get a few training sessions before the tournament drew closer, some players went to the gym, and then come to the ground for training. There was this feeling of dedication in the team, probably it was our year. You never know!
As the tournament drew closer, there was hype around the community, everyone buying jerseys, getting their players registered, facebook was full of statuses and it was buzzing! We handed our registration forms with the following players:
Ali Dewji, Allyzain Ismail, Nabeel Meghji, Mohammed Jawad Kassam, Ali D, Zaheer Rahim, Haani Virjee, Murtaza Haji, Muzammil Sadak, Zuheir Sachedina, Ali Rehemtullah, Suhail Meghji, Mohammedali Dhanji and Ali Abdulrasul.
The eldest in our team were Ali Rehemtullah and Nabeel with an age of 25, and the youngest were Ali Abdulrasul, Alizain and Dhanji- 18 years.
The groups were out and we were grouped alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona and Extreme. Fair group on paper, but Barcelona were our rivals, and there was nothing sweet like gaining revenge on them after they knocked us out in 2009. We were wary of Real Madrid's threat as well, a youthful team with great spirit.
Well, our first game was against Extreme, we won 2-0, not the best of games, but sometimes you have to win it rough.
The following fixture meant we played Barcelona, who drew with Madrid in their opening fixture. There was so much hype about this game, our rivalry and honor was at stake, we were down by a goal in the first five minutes. Dead! It is here, where I remembered Roy Keane in his game against Juventus in 1999, despite knowing that he wont play in the final due to suspension, he spearheaded the team to victory. For us, we couldn't afford a loss, because our next fixture wasn't easy. There I was, pulled the arm band higher, and began the search for a point at least. I always end up having a good game against Barcelona, I don't know why, since my first game as a stand in captain in 2009, I always cherished playing against them. I put in probably my best performance of the tournament, and in the last minute we got an equalizer! Safe, but not sound.
Our next game was Real Madrid, stadium full, spirit not very high as we thought its going to be an easy game. We had a quiet first half, and we had made wholesale changes to the squad. The biggest shock being our top goal scorer, Ali Rehemtullah being on the bench. We soon paid up for that, but it all started with Mj making the worst mistake a Captain would ever make. I jumped to head the ball, and won it clearly, only to be given an elbow on my chin, by the striker, there i was down! For some reason, the ref didn't stop play until one of our players fiercely kicked the ball out of the stadium. I sat on the pitch bleeding, and no one cared! I stood up, looked for the guy and screamed: "Watch what you do on the field, not too long before I teach you a lesson." That resulted to a brawl between the two teams and just when I was having a word with the linesman, they scored. Come on ref, where is the fair play? Meh! We were a goal down. I thought I would pull a Roy Keane again, got in with my blood-stained jersy, and got the game going. It wasn't too long before a tackle by one of our players was exaggerated by theirs, and our player was sent off! What! Why! During that instant, a player from each side fought and there we were, other two red cards. I lost my head, marched to the ref and said: "What you think you doing? You been sent to do this?" This invited a fight, and I was pulled aside, benched! Our goalkeeper was sent off and so was Haani! We asked Ali Rehemtullah to play in goal. Eventually we lost 2-0! The second goal, was just a mirror image of the first one. Anyway, that meant we had to wait for the next game between Madrid and Extreme and pray for a draw to see us through.
Everyone was talking about the incident involving me,, trust me, news travels faster than sound! Everyone knew about this, and we had those spice-lovers who added every inch of salt and spice they could. I was quite frustrated, for years we had been undone by refereeing decisions. 2009, a free kick was awarded as a penalty to the opposition, despite their player admitting it was out side the box. 2010, we were 2-1 up against bitter rivals, and the game was added an extra 8 minutes, for reasons known to God and the last minute saw our goal keeper catch the ball from a corner. Their player came forward and punched the ball from our goalie's arm, oh they got a penalty! The ref said it was our player who handled the ball! I mean, wth! I had enough and when I walked into the disciplinary meeting, I let it all out. Stunned! Did I just accuse someone wrongly? Well somehow yes! The following action was taken: I was suspended for a game, our goalkeeper for the rest of the tournament and a further three months and Haani, for one game! Shame! What a let down I was!
Luckily, we went through and we faced Extreme in the Quarters, I was banned, Ali Rehemtullah went in goal and Muzammil had to travel. Muzammil had travelled from Kenya and was looking forward to play for us and its sad that he had to leave early! He has that talent, only 17 and that boy could run! Now what? Emergency signing, Muzz Alidina! Our legendary player! I remember asking him to play, he had just arrived from Canada a week prior to the quarter finals. More like he was sent in as a saviour! Classic player, and he made his mark when he set up the firs goal of the game! We saw it easy, and there we were in the Semis!
Who do we face? Al Ahly! 9 time champions, and an unstoppable force! We have played them thrice, won the first game, and lost the other two. One being in the finals in 2010, and the other was in the mini tournament held a month ago where they emerged champions.
I decided against playing, it was time I taught myself a lesson and led as an example. I talked to Ali D, a few friends and the Manager. We all thought it was a right decision. Four hours before the game, everyone had come to my place. We had a nice gathering, with a chocolate fountain right in front of us, we just galloped strawberries with it, a few cold drinks and ice cream. Not a good meal before a game is it? Well, we were having the time of our lives, especially Ali Abdulrasul, he almost took the fountain home!
As kick off time approached, we went to the ground, everyone motivated and with high spirits! It was time to change our tactics, every team that played Al Ahly, would defend their lives for the whole game. This time, we went all attack. Ah! A game that shocked everyone. We were all over them, Ali Abdulrasul and Dhanji stealing the show! We had to make a change and we sent in Zuheir, a player who has always given 100% to the club! He came in with a swollen knee, but still played. He lasted 30 seconds! Just when he was about to cross the ball, he tore his ligaments. Crutches on, Zuheir is done for the year and Haani took his place.
The game ended a stalemate and we went on to penalties. The video is attached here for you to view it!
I still remember Ali Rehemtullah telling me, I promise to save you XYZ's penalty, guess what, he did!
I still remember every second of the penalty shootouts, standing there with our arms around each other, we kept predicting the outcome. The most nervous moments were when Haani and Suhail went to take their penalty. It took Haani ages to get to the spot, and Suhail stood there like he was waiting for tea to be served!
When Al Ahly missed their penalty, I turned to Muzz and asked him to go and win it for us, he refused, so did Allyzain and Dhanji. Now what? Ah Remti was there! Nothing better than seeing him score the penalty. I was shocked, we had actually done it!!
My best penalty? Easy- Zaheer and Ali! They whacked the ball!
We were through to the finals!
This game, our three youth players, Dhanji, Ali and Allyzain were at their best. They left everyone amused, I had a chat with our community soccer coach, and he was full of praises for them! Loyal soldiers they were, and what a difference they made!
In this video, the first penalty by Al Ahly wasn't recorded.
Penalty Takers:
Mansoor Zaheer
Sudi Nabeel
Imran Ali Abdulrasul
Jawaad Haani
Aziz Suhail
Nassor- Missed Ali Rehemtula
As the finals drew closer, we would have frequent gatherings, dinners and most important the hour talks of what we would do if we won! Jokes! Been in 3 finals, lost all. Not that excited anymore!
It was on a Friday, and we all met for the Juma prayers at mosque, then we had a meeting with the organizers, all the talk of discipline was being talked about. Wanna know why? We were playing Real Madrid! That elbow, that red card to my players, the fights, taunting facebook statuses, REVENGE!!
Two hours before the game, we met at Salilabbas's place, someone who gave everything for the team. He and Irfan Dhalla supported us throughout the tournament, they watched every game of ours and celebrated with us when it was meant to. Not forgetting Danish, Mohammed Hameer, and Ebuzer! A few Fifa 12 games were played and everyone was seated with only one thing in their mind- the trophy! Okay lads, time to go to the stadium! Car after car, and it seemed like President's motorcade! In the stadium, and now we were warming up.
As we warmed up, the stadium was suddenly filled with people, everyone was excited, everyone's family was there, my 78 year old Grandfather came! Massive moment in my career, it was time to prove the haters wrong, and do it for the first time ever!
During our dinners, Haani would always come up to me and say, Mj I will score the winner in the final. I am going to prove that I didn't deserve the red card! Fair play to him, he wanted to prove a point.
We stuck to the same team, and that meant Haani and I were on the bench. Poor game, boring and not entertaining at all!
The half time team talk was all bollocks, we had to win this. I made the famous Fergie remark: "That's the closest you will come to the trophy when you walk out of the tunnel, see it carefully, because you won't win it with this performance." 1999 Champions League Final.
As the second half resumed, we had a few chances here and there. Haani was disappointed not to play and he came to me and said, Mj will I even play. Ah you know what! Get in boy! Ali Abdulrasul made way for him. Guess what, second touch of the ball, this guy lashed a screamer, Goal! We actually scored in a final! Now this is ours. I went in for the final 5 minutes, my first touch and the crowd was screaming, you know why, they thought I was going to punch someone hah!
Final whistle blew, we had done it for the first time ever! I ran to Ali Rehemtullah, he won us this tournament. Goalkeeping was at another stage, another class!
Then, it was the famous ring dance that followed, and the promised celebration that Ali D and I made sure we did, the Lingoti!
Predators Fc were Champions!
I can't describe this moment, you really had to be part of us to experience this!
All those issues, yet we won!!
Our families were proud, our friends, my siblings dropped in texts that would surely make you smile and weep!
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| That feeling! You won't experience again! |
Facebook was crazy, so was I!
We had done it!!
After the presentation ceremony, we all went for dinner! Bring the bill please: $200! You serious? Ah we won this bro! There, we paid it up, only to be given a discount and a free meal the next day!
The journey towards success has never been an easy one, and it took us 4 years to actually win what we always dreamt of. Its all down to the players, supporters, parents and of course those who worked behind the scenes in making sure we had everything we wanted before our games!
Thank you everyone! Jah bless!
I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
I like so maach
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