Mkhize knew that observing alone wouldn't be enough. If he wanted to become a scout for Kaizer Chiefs, he had to practice the skills of scouting, even without a license or an official team.
He started small. Each morning before school, he would walk through nearby fields and playgrounds, quietly watching kids play football. He didn't approach them yet — he was still learning to analyze skills, strengths, and weaknesses, just like the professionals he had studied online.
He filled page after page of his notebook with notes:
Speed: good, needs stamina training.
Passing: accurate but panics under pressure.
Ball control: excellent, natural instincts.
Every detail mattered. Every player he watched was a lesson.
Mkhize also began connecting with people quietly — coaches at local clubs, former players, and anyone who knew the game well. He asked questions about how players were developed, how matches were analyzed, and what scouts really looked for. Some laughed at him, thinking he was too young or too inexperienced. Others gave advice, seeing the fire in his eyes and the passion in his voice.
One afternoon, Mkhize's school principal noticed his obsession.
"Mkhize, you spend more time watching football than teaching these days," she said with a smile.
He laughed. "I'm not wasting time. I'm learning. One day, this will help me guide talented players to success."
She shook her head, amused but impressed. "Just make sure you don't forget your students along the way."
Mkhize smiled, nodding. He knew she was right. But he also knew that balancing dreams with reality was part of the journey. Each small observation, each note in his notebook, each connection he made was a step closer to becoming a scout — even if the official path hadn't started yet.
That evening, he wrote a new line in his notebook:
"I may not have a license. I may not have a team. But I have eyes, I have a mind, and I have a notebook. One day, these will be my tools to discover greatness."
He closed the notebook and looked out his window at the fading light over Gauteng.
For the first time, he felt like the dream wasn't so far away after all.