The Curro Cup School Tournament Begins
The Curro Cup explodes with noise drums, parents shouting, scouts in branded tracksuits sitting on the touchline with notebooks. Chiefs, Sundowns, Pirates all watching.
Mkhize is seated with other Chiefs scouts. Across the field, Naledi stands with her team, clipboard in hand, her players warming up. She glances at him, smiles briefly, then shifts focus back to her boys.
The first matches are intense tackles flying, goals celebrated like finals. Mkhize scribbles constantly. A boy from Limpopo dances through defenders, another goalkeeper from Durban saves everything that comes his way.
But his eyes keep drifting to Naledi. She coaches with passion, shouting encouragement, pulling players aside, whispering advice. She's as dedicated as he is.
Lwazi's Moment
Later in the tournament, Mkhize's brother Lwazi comes on for his school team. Nobody knows they're related. Lwazi plays like he's been waiting his whole life for this fast, aggressive, a natural winger. He beats defenders for fun. Scouts start whispering in the stands.
One Sundowns scout leans over to Mkhize:
Scout: "That number 11… who is he? Reminds me of a young Percy Tau."
Mkhize hides his pride, pretending not to know. He writes: "Lwazi. U16 potential. Must monitor."
Inside, his heart pounds. His secret plan is working.
Naledi & Mkhize
After the day's games, Mkhize walks back to the parking lot. Naledi catches up with him.
Naledi (teasing): "You were staring at me during my match. Admit it."
Mkhize (laughing nervously): "I was staring at your tactics. That high press… risky but it worked."
Naledi: "Mmm. So you noticed me then."
There's a pause. The floodlights fade behind them. For the first time, Mkhize feels something outside of football pulling at his heart.
The Coaches' Pressure
The next day, Mkhize's school coach the strict one gathers his players in the dressing room after a tough loss.
Coach (shouting): " Boys please let's play together we have been to training for days , weeks , months. you can't afford to lose this big match , you guys seem to forget that there's scouts who are watching even my friend was here sitting with kaizer kaizer Chiefs scouts.
The boys lower their heads.
Coach: " Did you guys see that number 11 from other school he does not have a team but look at how he plays and am sure am 100 percent sure that , that guy was scouted from either the teams that were here today
that boy is too much quality".
"so guys please am asking you please play as a team. pass the ball around , create Chances we don't play 443 for nothing guys come On l wanna see you guys on TV one day laughing with my son and telling him that u know l have coached this kids before and now look at them."
Mkhize listens silently outside, knowing he was that scout.
The Clash
When Naledi's team faces Lwazi's school, the tension skyrockets. Mkhize doesn't know where to look his brother on one side, Naledi coaching on the other.
Lwazi scores a brilliant goal, sliding on his knees to celebrate.
Naledi shouts, pushing her team harder, and they equalize.
The match ends 1-1, but scouts are buzzing about both Lwazi and Naledi's coaching style.
After the game, Naledi teases again:
Naledi: "That winger… number 11. You wrote his name down fast. Don't tell me you've already fallen for his style too."
Mkhize smirks but says nothing. Deep inside, he knows that's my brother, and soon the world will know.