BBC Network Africa interviews Manchester’s newest and youngest recruit: Owen Jennings

BBC Network Africa interviews Manchester’s newest and youngest recruit: Owen Jennings

BBC: Owen, it’s quite amazing that Manchester United found you at your Saturday Football practice at LICS. How did they first hear of your spectacular playing on the pitch?

OWEN: My friend Rooney (who plays for ManU) came to Zambia to check out the LICS Saturday soccer players. They were looking for young stars.

BBC: But Owen, you’re seven years old. What kind of performance did Rooney see? What did you do to make him think you would be able to play for a Premiership team?

OWEN: I scored one goal by doing a back kick into the goal. I also scored another one by heading it in. At the end of the match it was two-nil.

BBC: That’s an impressive game for a young chap. What are your other great football skills?

OWEN: I can hit the ball with back of my foot into the goal.

BBC: I don’t understand....do you hit it while running backwards.

OWEN: No! Someone passes it to me while I”m in front of the goal and I turn around and hit it in -- the goalie thinks I’m going to turn around and shoot so he stares at me but he’s not ready to get the ball.

BBC: That’s a very creative move. Does this trick have a name?

OWEN: I just thought of doing it at that match that Rooney watched! I guess would call it “the Tricker.”

BBC: Like “Trick-or-treater?”

OWEN: No, just the “the Tricker.”

BBC: When you head up to Manchester for the next season, do you know what number will be on your uniform?

OWEN: No, but I know that I’m going to be a striker. I’d like to be number 7 but that’s how old I am so I’d like to be number 5.

BBC: Why 5?

OWEN: Because that’s what number I was in the match that Rooney watched.

BBC: And I think number 7 is already taken.....

OWEN: Me too! Michael Owen has number 7!

BBC: How are the ManU guys going to tell you, Owen, and Michael Owen and that other Owen apart? That’s three Owens on one team?

OWEN: I am the smallest and my last name is Jennings, so Jennings will be on my jersey.

BBC: Thanks, O for the interview. Is there anything else you’d like to tell your new ManU supporters around the world?

OWEN: Yes.

BBC: What would you like to tell them?

OWEN: Uh, we’re playing a match on TUESDAY, that’s tomorrow. WATCH IT!

EPILOGUE, Tuesdays match commentary, the opening minutes of Manchester United versus Blackburn

"Are you ready, Owen?" asks Rooney excitedly.

"Yeah" says Owen as he's warming up.

"One more push up then, Owen, and we'll get on the pitch!"

The match is starting. Manchester has the first possession.

"Here, Rooney!" Owen shouts, passing his teammate the ball. Rooney takes the ball and passes it to Gigs, who hears Owen: "Pass it back! "

Gigs sees that #5 is in front of the goal, and he's ready to do....THE TRICKER!

Owen quickly turns his back to the goalie and when Gigs passes Owen the ball, the Blackburn keeper is watching, but he's not ready to catch the ball which is already flying through the air and into the net!

"GOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!!"