Days turned into weeks, but Mkhize didn't slow down. Every free moment at school, every lunch break, every quiet evening at home was filled with research, observation, and planning. He studied players, strategies, and tactics. He memorized names of rising stars, watched their matches online, and took notes in his notebook, each page growing heavier with dreams yet to be realized.
But dreaming wasn't enough. Mkhize knew he had to act.
One afternoon, after class, he walked to the local park where boys gathered to play soccer. Some were barefoot, some in torn shoes, some running with the kind of raw passion only the streets could teach. His notebook clutched tightly under his arm, he watched silently.
A boy in a red jersey sprinted past the others, weaving effortlessly between players, his ball glued to his feet. Another launched a perfect overhead pass, catching everyone off guard. Mkhize scribbled furiously, his pulse quickening.
This one that one… they have something.
For the first time, Mkhize didn't just watch. He approached the boys. He introduced himself, his voice calm but firm. "I like your style. You've got potential. Can I write down your names and contact details? One day, you might play professionally."
The boys laughed at first, unsure of what to make of a stranger with a notebook. But Mkhize's sincerity was undeniable. Slowly, they nodded, giving him their information.
Mkhize returned home that evening, notebook in hand, and smiled as he added their names to the list of players he would one day scout for Kaizer Chiefs.
It was a small step, but a step nonetheless. And Mkhize knew that dreams weren't built in a day they were built one action at a time.