Salah's College Chronicles Vol. 2

 Coming back to school for my second year in the College was very easy for me. I had my mind set to enjoy the year and block any unnecessary noise and bad vibes. As usual, those seniors came and said 300l was going to be hard, we'd need to work hard, blah blah blah. In my mind, I just said Eshey, E Ku ife (Thank you for your love), no one was going to stress me. I had a routine at the beginning of every semester where I missed the first week of lectures, so that I'd know which lecturers would be taking us, make I no go loose guard. Omo, unfortunately the day I resumed, the lecturer gave us a test in ANA 303. Me that I had not even collected last class information Ha! I sha did the test, I was sure I wasn't getting a zero sha. 

Because I wanted to just chop life throughout the session, my attendance was not great. I actually didn't skip classes, I only went whenever I wished to. Me and Mahmud especially, we became legendary late comers. One day, we were late as usual and the lecturer was on the podium, teaching the class. Mahmud and I entered together, and he went straight to a socket to charge his phone. Ah! This boy want to koba me sha🙆🙆🙆, Alhamdulillah the lecturer only called him a mad man, he didn't send us out. We went to lectures to just listen to our lecturers speak, me I knew somehow somehow, God no go shame us.

Few weeks after resumption, I was appointed as the secretary of the faculty's academic unit, FACBAMSS. I had to work in tandem with the coordinator to organise meetings and all that other stuff sha, so I was normally in school for most of the day. It wasn't too hard because my roommate was the most introverted person I had met, so he would be at home whenever I got home, and there would be food. The quality of the food however, is a topic for another day (my guy used salt and pepper to massacre food). I used to eat the food with love sha, I remember one time when I made a mistake when I cooked food for me and Mahmud o, and he left everything for me. I ate it for TWO days, but not without swearing for him. I was also part of the faculty's team at the University-wide quiz competition. We didn't make it out of the group stage, a befitting tribute to Manchester United.

FOOTBALL

It was no surprise that football was my most interesting part of the year, afterall, I was there to enjoy myself. I remained as coach of my class team, and I remember my most memorable fixtures being against our immediate seniors, the 400l anatomy team. Our rivalry was like that of Real Madrid and Barcelona under Mourinho and Guardiola, respectively. We played 4 times that year, and fought 4 times, because each of the matches ended in a massive brawl, and we won one match apiece, with the other two ending in draws. It was a derby like none other. We eventually won the departmental Cup but we had to fight for it sha after a heavy heartbreak in the faculty Cup.

We were playing really well, we had beaten 100l Anatomy by like 9 goals to 2 on Tuesday in the Departmental Cup, but because the exams were drawing near, we were asked to play 3 matches in like 4 days. I stubbornly continued playing the same set of players on Friday, Saturday and Monday. On Monday we had a semifinal in the Faculty Cup against the 400l physiology class, my players were absolutely knackered. I remember Mahmud being the most energetic player on my team, but on this day, even a 10 Meter sprint was too much for him. One error led to another, and our opponents scored. Without exaggerating, I would say we had at least 15 shots but failed to score a single goal and we lost 1-0 in a game we should have won easily. 

The time I can absolutely never forget is the final game of the Faculty Cup, where I was chosen to be the referee. I was in danger of getting beaten because the 400l physiology guys were so poor in that game and they felt my every decision was against them. I made sure not to follow the ball to their side of the pitch lest their coach or supporters would attempt to manhandle me (I no Sabi fight). In my mind sha, I wasn't afraid because my class guys were plenty there, so I knew even if I somehow chopped slap, they would retaliate on my behalf. After the first half, they refused to continue, and they came to be placing curses on me like I was the one that koba them LOL.

STUDYING/READING

Studying for me was based on vibes. I read only when I liked. For me and my guys, night class became a place to charge our devices and sleep. We would leave home after eating half of our dinner, we would stuff our bags with our phone chargers and Ankara wrappers, with large sweaters for any adverse weather and deadly mosquitoes that may disturb our sleep. My schedule was normally to read for like one hour, sleep till like 3, then head home with my guys. Once at home, we would eat the second half of our dinner and sleep. I remember one particular day when we didn't go to school. My guy Toyeeb had a laptop on which we played PES, the only problem was that our hostels were separated by a thick bush spanning around 50 meters. This day, Toyeeb came to my place to read at night, so me and Mahmud decided to go over to his place also to play PES. Mahmud went first, and then I left home around past 10 to go and meet him. As I navigated my way around the bush and got to the house, I heard a rustling around and I was suddenly face to face with a gun-carrying vigilante. When the man started interrogating me, I could perceive a distinct whiff of alcohol on his breath, and his words were quite dragged. He was literally drunk and I was there struggling to identify myself because Mahmud had locked the gate from inside. I was sha praying for nothing to happen because I didn't even take my phone along. Fortunately, the man asked me to go and call who I was looking for, and I was able to locate the window and notify Mahmud. 

At a point, the UITH security began to pursue us away from the hospital complex where there was usually light and sockets to charge, and long waiting wooden benches to sleep on. We usually looked carefully at the guard on duty because there was a specific woman that always made sure to send us away. One day, one of them stole Musdhaliph's book and hid it because he stayed in the complex. Omo we had to beg this man before he released the book, and we had to promise not to come back LOL. After that day, we made sure to wait until they slept before we moved in, and we never switched on the lights at the place.

EXAMS

In my first semester ANA 309 exam, the lecturer gave us 6 slides over the course of the semester. On the day of the exam, I was surprised to see that we had 3 hours. In my mind, I was thinking "3 hours for laboratory techniques? Lmao". Omo when I saw the questions, I became humble. The lecturer set 6 questions, and the instruction before all of them was "Explain". EXPLAIN!! Me that I was struggling to hustle how to answer 4 questions at most, this man asked questions from every single page of his materials, something I didn't even read completely o. Wahala for who no read, double wahala for who no Sabi cram, triple wahala for who get small handwriting. As I was managing my small handwriting to write all I could, I saw people collecting extra sheets. How?? I had not even filled up half of my booklet, and I no be dullard. I sha managed to finish, I wrote some things I didn't even remember after the exam. I eventually passed the course well. To God be the glory Alhamdulillah.

RESPONSIBILITIES

I was appointed as MSSN class Naqeeb in my second semester, to my surprise. It was a new world for me, because I had never been an available person per se, so I didn't expect such a post. I had honestly never had such a responsibility. My first task was to work with my contemporaries to co-ordinate a class Iftar during Ramadan. It was a success, although it wasn't without its hitches. Drinks didn't go round, and the food was not properly done, so there were lots of disgruntled young men and women at the end of the day. It wasn't all happy sailing, as I only broke my fast around 8 pm that day, Omo hunger wan kill me.

I was also actively involved in planning and organising my faculty's annual health week. It really tested my patience, as a lot of times, things did not go to plan, but I had to maintain a cool head to all the matters. We embarked on a successful medical outreach, which I chaired, and a host of other events. At the end of the session, I was named the community volunteer of the year.

The session ended with some major news. We had been assigned project supervisors, and as usual, the seniors did all they could to instill fear in us. We're still inside the case till now sha.

I thought my 400l was going to be a walk in the park, that I'll catch premium cruise. I've never been more wrong with any assumption. Fam, 400l is the ghetto!!

Chelsea's Kepa Conundrum

    In January of 2018, Real Madrid were prepared to pay the € 20 Million release clause for Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, but coach Zinedine Zidane opted to wait patiently until the summer when he could land his first choice, Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea. Following this saga, Athletic offered Kepa a new 7 and a half year deal. By this time, he had established himself as one of the best shot stoppers in Spain. Immediately after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Thibaut Courtois informed Chelsea of his decision not to return to Chelsea. This left Chelsea in a position no club wanted to be in, and they had to go all out for a new shot-stopper. They tried to sign Athletico Madrid's Jan Oblak unsuccessfully, and A.S Roma's Alisson preferred to move to Merseyside giants, Liverpool. Chelsea eventually settled for the less-heralded Kepa on a 7 year deal for a handsome sum of 72 Million Pounds, making him the most expensive goalkeeper of all time.

   In his debut season, Kepa was instrumental as Chelsea won the Europa League, but the most memorable moment of his season by far was his on-field confrontation with manager, Maurizio Sarri during the extra time of the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, a game in which he refused to be substituted after he seemingly picked up an injury. Afterwards, he was left on the bench for a number of matches as a punishment. He ended the season on a high, playing a starring role as Chelsea romped to the title and also secured a third placed finish in the league. He had a save percentage of 67.8% in the league, keeping 14 clean sheets as he finished the race for the league's golden glove in third place behind Liverpool's Alisson and Manchester City keeper, Ederson. Kepa really fit into Maurizio Sarri's style, as he wanted a keeper who was comfortable with the ball at his feet. When Frank Lampard arrived in the following season, Kepa's job requirements remained the same. The 2019/2020 season started with a drubbing at the hand of Manchester United, but the team bounced back well and put up a spirited performance against Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup, with Kepa making a number of crucial saves to deny Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, before eventually losing on penalties. However, Kepa's performances began to drop, and he started to let in questionable goals. Eventually, he was dropped for 39-year-old backup keeper, Willy Caballero, who played in a number of league matches, as well as in the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich at Stamford Bridge. Before the suspension of football due to COVID however, Kepa was recalled into the team, and provided two immaculate performances against Liverpool and Everton, keeping two clean sheets. However, when the league resumed, he delivered some shaky performances, with the climax coming at Liverpool where after shipping in 5 goals, the defenders went berserk on him for not coming to claim a simple cross floated across his six-yard area. After this game, he ended up getting dropped again, and did not play a single minute till the season ended. By the end of the season, he had kept only 8 clean sheets, and had a save percentage of 53.9%, one of the lowest in Europe's top 5 leagues. 

   During the transfer window that preceded the commencement of the 2020/2021 season, speculation was rife about Chelsea being in the market for a new goalkeeper. The most notable links were to Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak and Andre Obama of Ajax, with some other names being speculated as well. In spite of the links, Frank Lampard publicly backed Kepa as his first choice goal tender, and said he was sure that Kepa would keep his place between the sticks. In the opening game of the season, Kepa allowed a long range Leandro Trossard shot to squirm underneath him to draw Brighton level in a game that Chelsea eventually won 3-1, and also, in the second game against Liverpool, he spent too much time in possession, and Sadio Mane picked his pocket to double Liverpool's lead in a 2-0 defeat. Shortly afterwards, Edouard Mendy was announced as Chelsea's latest signing in the goalkeeping department.

   Since Mendy's debut in a Chelsea shirt, Kepa has only taken to the field twice, one time against Southampton when Mendy was injured, and the other in a dead rubber Champions League tie against Krasnodar. He failed to keep a clean sheet in either of those games. On the other hand, Mendy has kept 4 clean sheets in 5 Champions League appearances, and another 5 in 9 league appearances. Mendy has a save percentage of 75% in the league, compared with Kepa's 57.1%.

   Kepa's situation at Chelsea remains delicately poised, as it looks like the coach and even the defenders have very little confidence in his ability. It remains to be seen however, what the club decides to do with him. Do they keep him as a back-up option or sell him at a loss, or send him out on loan, just as Liverpool did with Loris Karius. It is up to the club and the player to decide on the best line of action to take, as Edouard Mendy seems to have made the number 1 shirt his. A loan might be the best option for Kepa, where he can regain his confidence and play regularly ahead of next year's Euros, or he could leave on a permanent deal, although the club's higher-ups would not be pleased with this, as no club would be willing to meet their valuation of Kepa as a result of his performances, and the pandemic.

TRAILBLAZER SERIES: THE CONCEALED ONE

 Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktoom was born to Qays Ibn Za'id and Aatikah Bint Abdullah. He was born blind, which was the reason behind the people calling his mother Umm Maktoom (Mother of the Concealed One). He was a cousin of the first wife of the Prophet, Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid, and was among the first converts to Islam. He thus had a front row seat as Islam grew in Makkah, witnessing all of the suffering and persecution along with Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the other companions. This not only strengthened his faith but also increased his determination to hold on to the religion of Islam as much as he could, and this in turn increased his devotion to the Apostle of Allah. He was always eager to learn by heart as much as he could of the Qur'an such that at times, he unintentionally sought to have the Prophet's attention all to himself.

   Most of the time he spent in Makkah with the Prophet, Da'wah was the most important part of the Prophet's duty. On one occasion, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was concentrating on achieving the conversion of the nobles among his tribesmen, the Quraish, and had Utbah Ibn Rabah and his brother, Shaybah, Abu Jahl Amr Ibn Hisham, Umayyah Ibn Khalaf, and Walid Inn Mughirah, father of Khalid Ibn Walid, and was doing his usual preaching to these men, inviting them to leave their pagan gods and worship Allah. As the Prophet was thus engaged, Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktoom sauntered to him, and asked him to teach him of what Allah had taught him. Prophet Muhammad frowned and turned away from Abdullah, to continue preaching to the prestigious Quraish nobles. As soon as he finished with his preaching, he received a revelation from Allah, the first 16 verses of Surah 'Abasa (Q80 Vs 1-16), in which Allah admonished the Prophet for prioritising the group of disbelievers over one of his own brothers who had come in search of knowledge. 

   Abdullah was the first of the companions, alongside Mus'ab Ibn Umayr, to migrate to Madinah, where they were to teach the religion and Qur'an to the people of Madinah before the arrival of the Prophet from Makkah. When the Prophet (SAW) arrived in Madinah, he appointed Abdullah as one of the Muadhin, along with Bilal Ibn Rabah. Whenever Bilal made the adhan, Abdullah was charged with making the Iqamah. They switched their roles sometimes as well. When the Prophet (SAW) left Madinah, Abdullah was charged with leading the Muslims in prayers.

   Shortly after the battle of Badr, the first battle the Muslims engaged in, Allah revealed a verse in which the status of the Mujahideen, the ones who fought for Allah in battles, was proclaimed as a very lofty one. This revelation made Abdullah worried, as he knew be could not be allowed to fight on the battlefield due to his condition, and he spoke about it to Allah's apostle. Allah immediately revealed a clause in that verse, exempting those physically unfit from Jihad "Not equal are those who remain seated among the believers except those who possess disabilities and those who strive and fight in the way of God with their wealth and their persons..." Surah An-Nisa Q4 Vs 95. Abdullah wasn't satisfied with having to settle for an exemption, and he wanted to be a Mujahid. In the 14th year after Hijrah, he made a vow to be the standard bearer for the Muslims at the battle of Qadisiyyah, a major onslaught on the Persians. On the third day of the battle, the Muslims had overcome their adversaries. Abdullah lay among the martyrs, still holding onto the flag of the Muslims. His entire life was characterised by his dedication to the Prophet, and the Prophet's admiration of his person. He was left in charge of Madinah anytime the Prophet had to leave, showing the level of the trust Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had in him. He died as a martyr, and attained the pleasure of Allah with his actions.