The first official matches of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) had begun. Mkhize, wearing his Kaizer Chiefs tracksuit, stood on the sidelines, notebook in hand, ready to observe, analyze, and report. His players Thabo, Sipho, and the others he had scouted — were stretching and warming up, nerves and excitement clear on their faces.
At the same time, school league games were happening across Gauteng. Some schools were sending their first teams; others were fielding younger age groups for bigger tournaments Curro, KNZ, Cape Town, and more. Mkhize's scouting notebook would be busy. The pressure was on.
WhatsApp Drama
While reviewing the lineup, Mkhize's phone buzzed. He opened it and froze. Somehow, a boy he had scouted earlier had found his number and messaged him directly on WhatsApp.
"Hey Mkhize, remember me? Just wanted to say thanks for noticing me back then. I'm training hard for the trials. Hope to make it this season!"
Before he could reply, he noticed another message:
"You should join the Kaizer Chiefs WhatsApp group we share updates, match info, and announcements. Don't miss anything."
Mkhize blinked. Somehow, he was now officially added to the Kaizer Chiefs WhatsApp group, connecting with scouts, coaches, and staff. He smiled, realizing his network was growing faster than he had imagined but the pressure to perform was real.
The Girl Coach of Another Team
As he walked the sidelines, observing Thabo and Sipho during the first GDL match, Mkhize noticed her again. Only this time, she wasn't just watching she was coaching one of the other teams. Popular, confident, commanding her players with authority.
Mkhize felt his chest tighten. She was not just someone he admired she was now directly involved in the competition. Every glance between them was charged with a mix of excitement and tension.
He reminded himself: focus first. Players second. Crush third. But it wasn't easy. Every time she called out instructions or celebrated a goal, Mkhize felt a pang of distraction he couldn't ignore.
Pressure as a Scout
The matches were intense. Mkhize had to:
Observe players' performance in real time.
Note strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future development.
Keep track of Thabo and Sipho's adaptation to competitive play.
Evaluate other players he had scouted previously.
Balance the GDL matches and school league games happening simultaneously.
The notebook filled rapidly. Mkhize realized the weight of responsibility: the players' futures depended on his reports and recommendations. Every decision mattered.
After the first round of games, he took a moment to write in his notebook:
"The season has started, and the pressure is real. Thabo and Sipho are showing promise, but every game reveals new challenges. School leagues and GDL matches test every player and me as a scout. The girl in Soweto is coaching another team now… focus, Mkhize, focus. But the heart can't ignore what it notices."