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Chapter 6: First Practice
The morning sun burned over the school field, turning the red earth into a haze of heat and dust. Kweku arrived early, his boots slapping against the dry grass. They were still too big — secondhand — but they made him feel like a professional.
He jogged slow circles around the goalposts until the rest of the players arrived, chatting and laughing in clusters. Then Yaw Boateng walked in, captain's armband tight on his arm, posture straight. He wasn't smiling. He rarely did.
Coach Ofori blew his whistle. "Warm-ups! Let's see who's ready to play for real."
By the half hour mark most of the boys were regretting even trying to get here, it was more brutal than anything they'd ever felt and the scorching sun didn't help, neither did the coach's screaming.
Kweku ran harder than everyone else, legs pumping, lungs burning but he ignored all of that. He wanted to prove he deserved that spot on the list.
When they started scrimmages, Yaw's team faced Kweku's. The first few minutes were rough. Kweku's passes were good, but nerves made him rush. Once, Yaw intercepted his ball with ease, dribbled past him, and scored.
"Don't rush your play," Yaw said as he jogged past him. His tone wasn't mocking — just firm. "Think before you move."
Kweku blinked, caught off guard. He'd expected teasing, not advice.
The next round, Kweku took a breath before passing. His ball found the winger cleanly, who burst with pace down the wing and slotted it hime, leading to a quick goal. Yaw gave a small nod from across the pitch.
By the end of training, the younger boy was drenched, exhausted — but smiling.
When Coach dismissed them, Yaw came over. "I was wrong about you guys, some of you've got talent," he said simply. "But talent fades if you don't build discipline. Come to the field tomorrow at four pm. After siesta."
"Four?" Kweku asked, eyes wide.
Yaw shrugged. "Champions don't start late."
He walked away, leaving Kweku standing in the fading light, heart racing with a mix of awe and fear.
That night, he opened his notebook again and added a new line:
Goal: Earn the captain's trust.
He sighed. Yaw was a good guy, but his training intensity would be brutal. He closed the book and lay on his bed waiting for sleep's sweet embrace, thinking about the next day.
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