The Raw Diamond
The District finals brought even bigger crowds. Scouts from smaller clubs, journalists, even PSL youth coaches lined the fields. But everyone's eyes followed Mkhize the man with the notebook.
The matches rolled on, until one game lit up the field.
A boy no one had hyped, wearing number 14.
Small, skinny frame.
Old, torn boots.
But when the ball touched his feet… magic.
He dribbled through players twice his size, danced past defenders like smoke, and finished with a calmness beyond his years.
The crowd gasped every time he touched the ball.
The coach on the sidelines shouted:
Coach: "That's Kabelo! He doesn't even play for an academy just street ball in Soweto."
Mkhize's pen froze. His instincts screamed: raw talent.
After the match, he walked straight to the boy.
Mkhize: "Kabelo, right? Who do you play for?"
Kabelo: (shy) "No one, sir. Just kasi football. Sometimes school games if I'm picked."
Mkhize: "Not anymore. From today, I'm watching you closely. Be ready."
The boy's eyes widened half in fear, half in joy.
Mkhize scribbled his name in the notebook, drawing a star next to it.
This wasn't just another boy. This was one for the future.
Naledi vs. KZN
Across the country, Naledi faced her biggest test yet: Gauteng vs. KZN.
KZN came in loud, confident, physical. Their coach laughed before kickoff:
KZN Coach: "First provincial tournament, neh? Don't worry, little girl. We'll go easy."
Naledi didn't reply. She let her tactics do the talking.
First half: KZN bullied the midfield, going 1–0 up. Parents in the stands whispered, "She's too young. Too new."
Halftime. Naledi gathered her players.
Naledi: "They think you're weak. They think we don't belong. Show them the truth. Press higher. Trust the wings. Fight for every ball."
Second half: Gauteng exploded.
Equalizer from a corner.
Then a counter-attack, 2–1.
In stoppage time, her captain curled one into the top corner. 3–1.
The whistle blew. Naledi pumped her fist in the air, her girls collapsing in joy.
Reporters swarmed her after.
Journalist: "How does it feel, young coach, beating one of the strongest provinces?"
Naledi: (smiling) "It's not about me. It's about these girls proving what hard work can do."
But deep down, she knew: she'd made a statement.
The Message
That night, while Mkhize rested with his notebook, his phone buzzed. A message from Naledi:
Naledi: "3–1. KZN down. Guess I'm not just a pretty face after all "
Mkhize: "You're more than that. You're a game-changer. Keep going, coach. I saw a boy today raw, special. I think he could be the next big one."
Naledi: "Then we're both making history, one game at a time."
For the first time, Mkhize leaned back, smiling, realizing this wasn't just about football anymore.