Kayode and Niyi were foes all the time (in class, on the field, in fact everywhere). If they were in opposing teams in football, na war. If they were in the same team while we play football, na wahala. So many football plays were abandoned because either of them tackled the other. In fact at some point we avoided having the two of them playing at the same time. Both were taller than the average classmate and on paper look like a good match for a bout (wrestling, boxing or any description in between). And I think one or both of them had boasted of some martial art training in their kitty. But somehow their squabbles never escalated to a real fight. Until one day...
We were in JSS 3. Precisely 3L. Someone had brought a new ball to school that day that we had a field day playing during the long break. But for some of us, that stint was an appetizer, we wanted more. So we agreed to stay back in school after closing hours to have unlimited footballing fun.
I remember that the likes of Patrick "the master dribbler" Adesida, Sunday Elewa, Bode "the gymnast" Olotu (of blessed memory), Akeem Awojobi, Wale Awosanmi (of blessed memory), Kayode Olukoju, myself and a number of our classmates that I cant recollect their faces now showed up at the main football field all beaming with excitement to satisfy our footballing thirst with the Heath ball. Yes, that was the brand. Heath. Then Niyi Ikupolati showed up.
For some of us that were wary of the "Kayode/Niyi match-up-can-kill-football" effect, our immediate reaction was akin to finding our balloons trapped in a thicket of thorns. At that time of my life, these two guys were somewhere at the top of the list of ACA boys that I knew who were most tenaciously unwilling to yield on what they hold dear. I mean they were beyond average stubborn. Kayode and I had become very close friends then, so I knew him that much. Niyi Ikupolati's stubbornness at that time had become legendary. So the option of talking them out of playing football with us that afternoon was simply not on the table.
We summoned courage and chose to do what was the best in that situation. the two of them were chosen to play on the same side. This seemed like a smart move, but considering their antecedents, we could only pray the bubble doesn't burst too soon for our love of the game. We carved out a portion across the field as our pitch (because the ACA mainbowl was so massive in our young eyes then that only official matches dared to use up the entire marked pitch). Our school bags and sandals/shoes were stacked as heaps that represented the goal posts. We got playing, trying to get a good feel of the ball with our feet, head or chest whenever it rolls or floats our way. Ah! talking about ball control now reminds me of my very good friend, Tunde "Akpeteshi" Omotoso. He was also on the field that day. Tunde was a maverick midfielder that could cool down any floating ball that travelled into his path. So we played and it was sweet fun. Meanwhile Kayode and Niyi kept out of each other's hairs to our relief. And the bubble floated, uneasily for thirty-five minutes or thereabout, and alas, it bursted.
Niyi had accused Kayode of making us lose a goal-bound opportunity because he was selfish with the ball and failed to pass to a better-positioned team mate. Kayode rebuffed him and it could only go down-south from that point. They could not just stop picking on each other so it was no surprise when it degenerated into a brawl. Yes, the much-anticipated fight we had looked forward to was about to happen. But somehow the reasonable parts of our brains kicked in and we did all we could to pry them apart. There was no doubt the two of them had been managing the tension that had built up for weeks until that time. Even as we held them apart, their limbs flailed towards one another as they spewed expletives at each other. Another face that I think I can make out among us that day was Bimbo "Ghana" Bolarinwa because he was the one that championed those of us that held Kayode. I bet you will say: "no wonder that "Ghana" became a Pastor, as he had been a peacemaker from way back". Abegi! Those who know know o.😜
Somehow the rage dissipated faster in Kayode but Niyi was not losing steam at all. By the time we had been at this for almost thirty minutes, we realised that the footballing fun had crashed for that day. There was no way we could salvage that. So we implored Kayode to take his leave while we held down Niyi Ikupolati. And it was a tough task holding him as he was really revved up for a fight. Kayode was way out of sight on his way home before we let go of Niyi. And the rest of us trudged our way home without merry. Though bitter that our footballing had been truncated by our feuding classmates, we had unwittingly been consoled by the good Lord as captured in the revered Beatitudes: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God".
Dedicated to the sweet memories of our fallen classmates: Niyi Ikupolati, Wale Awosanmi and Bode Olotu.
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