Because the afternoon solar beats down on the dusty discipline behind Agege Stadium, 20-year-old Justin Chialuka strikes with quiet willpower. His left foot glides throughout the ball, his passes sharp and managed — each movement reflecting years of follow and persistence.
But, for all his talent, Justin’s soccer journey stays trapped within the shadows of Nigeria’s grassroots pitches. Regardless of greater than a decade of laborious work, his dream of turning skilled feels painfully out of attain.
“Soccer is my life,” he says softly, catching his breath after coaching. “I’ve been taking part in since I used to be a boy in Mushin, however issues are powerful when nobody sees your effort.”
Born and raised in Mushin, one among Lagos’ most vibrant but difficult neighbourhoods, Justin’s ardour for soccer started at age 10. By secondary faculty, he had already captained his workforce, incomes a popularity for his velocity and thunderous left-footed strikes.
However in Nigeria, uncooked expertise alone is never sufficient. Progress usually relies on cash, connections, or luck.
“We purchase our personal jerseys, our personal boots — even the balls,” he explains. “Typically, if somebody can’t afford boots, we share.”
Justin now trains with the Agege Eagles, a small group membership renting time on the native stadium. With no sponsorship, gamers contribute what little they will to maintain the workforce afloat.
“These boys have coronary heart, however not assist,” says coach Yusuf Ajani, watching his gamers from the sidelines. “Some can’t even afford transport to coaching. The expertise is right here — it’s alternative that’s lacking.”
In 2019, Justin obtained an invite to trial with a semi-professional academy. However the ₦50,000 registration payment was greater than his household may afford. “I felt like my dream was slipping away,” he remembers. “So I took a supply job simply to outlive.”
Even now, his days are a balancing act between work and soccer. Every night, after hours on his bike, he returns to coach — regardless of how drained he feels.
His resilience was examined once more in the course of the 2024 Lagos Neighborhood Cup Remaining, when his missed penalty denied his workforce their first-ever trophy. “That night time, I couldn’t sleep,” he admits. “However I promised myself I’d prepare more durable. Dropping made me stronger.”
Analysts say Justin’s story echoes that of numerous younger Nigerians whose expertise stays hidden by lack of assets. “Grassroots footballers like him are Nigeria’s untapped future,” says Coach Ajani. “With correct funding, we’d discover our subsequent stars proper right here.”
For Justin, hope is the one factor stronger than hardship. “It’s not straightforward,” he says, glancing towards the goalpost. “However someday, I’ll put on knowledgeable jersey — and after I do, I’ll bear in mind this discipline.”
For now, the mud of Agege stays each his proving floor and his promise — a spot the place a dream, towards all odds, refuses to die.
