Immediately after stepping through the gates, security personnel were at the ready, scanning everyone that came through with metal detectors, and checking through their bags.
No one was allowed to enter without going through this security check, and the security made sure to confiscate jewellery, sharp objects, overly studded boots, and anything else they felt would be a hazard before permitting entry.
Afterwards, parents and family members, guardians or friends who came accompanying those participating in the trials were redirected by the security to spectator stands, leaving the young participants to navigate the process alone.
Jesse and Bayo completed the security check without any problems whatsoever, then abruptly, Bayo decided to bring out his phone to take a picture together in order to commemorate the special day.
Bayo took a while snapping several photos before he finally took one where he got the right angle and lighting on his face, enhancing his features and making him look a lot more handsome than he was.
"Great! I'm keeping this one!" Bayo said, grinning, and immediately began deleting the ones he took where he looked like an RPG monster — which by the way, was every other photo he took but that one.
It didn't seem to bother Bayo that Jesse didn't look particularly good in that one photo he so loved.
Not one bit!
Now satisfied, Bayo put his phone back into his bag before the two of them joined the throng of boys making their way towards the direction the registration tents were set up.
Ahead of them, the line was long, snaking around the edge of the pitch like a colossal serpent, but Jesse didn't mind. It gave him time to relax a bit and take in his surroundings while he queued.
While on the queue, one of the many staff wearing a crisp Pepsi-branded polo shirt while seated behind a folding table underneath the small row of registration tents repeated an announcement Jesse and Bayo apparently weren't present for when it was made previously.
She stated clearly for everyone to hear in a loud voice that there were pre-registration desks under the leftmost tent where online applicants could verify their slots.
Weeks before the trials, some of the hopefuls filled digital versions of the registration forms online detailing their age, position, and football experience.
Now, according to the announcement, they had to queue at the designated pre-registration desks, bringing along their printed confirmation slips and ID cards.
Bayo was among those who had registered online, so after telling Jesse he'd be right back, he left to join the specified queue.
Meanwhile, seated officials cross-reference the names of the pre-registered candidates on laptops, shouting, "If we don't see your name on the database or if there are any errors in your online data, then there's nothing we can do to rectify the issue! You'll have to go to the other queues for on-the-spot registration and re-register!"
So, in essence, anyone who was unfortunate enough to register online but had their data lost in the process, or made a mistake with the information they filled in before submission, would have to pay the registration fee all over again to begin a fresh registration.
Jesse sighed and shook his head. A number of participants weren't too pleased to hear it either.
Jesse just hoped Bayo would not have any such issues.
Thinking that, he looked away, trying to take his mind off the surrounding commotion.
Now that he payed attention to the scenery, Jesse noticed that the stadium was even a lot more impressive on the inside.
The grass on the pitch was a vibrant green, very meticulously maintained, and with vivid white lines that marked the boundaries of play. And on the neatly trimmed pitch, Jesse could see coaching staff in crisp PFA polos barking instructions to practicing participants on the field.
It seemed the trials had already begun even though registration was still ongoing and it wasn't even 8 AM yet.
Jesse wasn't too surprised. Nigerians always did things way before the mandated time.
It was nothing new.
Jesse smiled longingly.
He could almost imagine himself running across that field, the ball at his feet, crowd cheering his name.
His mind went back to what Bayo said before, and he couldn't help but think, 'Soon, we're both going to be playing in grand stadiums like this regularly.'
Their dreams were just a few moments away, and by the end of the day, those budding dreams would become blooming reality.
Jesse could feel it in his heart and soul. He knew it to his very core.
As the line inched closer to the registration table, Bayo finally made a reappearance. He had new accessories on him, including a red bib he now wore over his jersey and a black rubber band he had on his wrist.
Bayo nudged him, grinning widely. "Aburo mi! It's time for me to go now," he said, then pointed in a direction. "We have to go over there to begin orientation, then after, we'll have trials."
He paused, looking at the boys around them, then continued with confidence in his voice, "I tell you bro, we're already as good as in. You see all these jokers? Half of them don't even know how to trap a ball correctly." he said brazenly, then burst out laughing.
Jesse gave a reserved smile. "Good luck out there, man. Well... not that you'll need it, anyways."
"Heh heh heh, you're right." Bayo smirked, beaming with overzealous pride. Then, he looked at Jesse and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly. "You too, Jesse."
They shook hands after that, and then Bayo left as quickly as he came.
Bayo had already given Jesse the money required for the registration fee and the signed guardian consent form at the Ilupeju bus stop. So, he had already done everything necessary for him.
Now, the ball was in Jesse's court. All that was left was to carve a path out with his own two hands — or rather, in this special case, his own two feet — and impress the PFA officials who would be watching.
Jesse took in a deep breath.
Without Bayo, he felt like a soldier going to war without a shield. But nevertheless, he still had his skill — it was like a trusty longsword strapped to his waist, sharpened, and ready to carve out his path.
That, at least provided him with plenty of assurance and gave him the confidence he needed in himself.
Eventually, about half an hour later, Jesse finally reached the registration table.