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Chapter 6 - Chapter 6

The next day, Praise and Bistos met up, a nervous energy thrumming between them. They walked to the training ground in a tense silence, the boots Praise wore feeling heavier than usual. This wasn't a schoolyard game; this was the Botswana U17 national team. The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass, a stark contrast to the dusty pitch they were used to.

"My stomach is doing cartwheels," Praise confessed, his voice barely a whisper.

Bistos scoffed, but his knuckles were white as he clutched his bag. "Cartwheels? Mine's doing the whole circus. The clowns, the acrobats... I think I just swallowed a fire-eater."

"I think I'm going to be sick," Praise shot back, trying to outdo his friend's anxiety.

"Okay, okay," Patrick chuckled, walking up behind them. "We get it. You're both anxious and happy. Now let's go. We don't want to be late."

As they entered the locker room, the weight of the moment settled over Praise. He saw the official national team jerseys hanging in rows, the white kit with shades of blue, and the black second kit with shades of blue and white, reflecting the national colors. He recognized a few of the boys from the trial—the ones who were bigger, faster, and more experienced. He also saw some familiar faces from the list his father had given him.

The coach from the trial, the stern-faced man who had dismissed him, walked into the room. He clapped his hands, his voice echoing in the sudden silence. "Welcome, boys. This is the first day of training. You are the best of the best, and you have the honor of representing your country in the COSAFA Cup. This is not a game; this is a responsibility."

He then proceeded to read out the full list of the selected players, Praise's name coming last. He was a late addition, a final piece of a puzzle. Praise looked at Bistos, a silent message of triumph passing between them.

The coach then introduced the team:

Goalkeepers: Brian, Bistos, Onks

Defenders: Michael, Andy, Moagedi, Keabetswe, Kevin, Enerst

Midfielders: Boy, David, Peace, Thomas, Phiri, Ace, Kion

Forwards: Prince, Thapelo, Reabetswe, Arona, Khem

He paused, a slight smile on his face, before adding Praise's name to the list of midfielders. "And a late, but a welcomed, addition to the team is Praise."

Praise's heart swelled with pride and a fierce determination. He had been given a second chance, and he was not going to let it go to waste. He looked at his boots, a silent vow passing between him and the worn leather. He was here, he was ready, and he was going to prove that he belonged.

As they got dressed, Bistos nudged Praise. "Who are you excited to play with? I can't wait to play with Andy."

Praise raised an eyebrow. "Andy? He's a defender."

"Exactly!" Bistos said, beaming. "He's my protector! I'm the damsel in distress in the goal, and he's my savior, my Prince Charming, my knight in shining armor!"

Praise laughed. "You're a goalkeeper, Bistos. You're supposed to be a brick wall, not a damsel."

"A damsel with very strong hands, then," Bistos retorted, and the two friends burst into laughter, the nervous tension finally starting to melt away.

The team moved to the training ground, the smell of the freshly cut grass a sharp contrast to the dusty fields they were used to. The coach didn't waste any time. He clapped his hands loudly, gathering the boys in a tight circle. "No drills today. No running. We're going to see what you're made of."

He split the team in half, making sure to evenly divide the players by position, from defenders to forwards. A collective murmur of surprise rippled through the group. They were going to face each other in a practice match on the very first day. The coach was putting them on the spot, forcing them to show their skills and their cohesion from the get-go.

Praise found himself on a team with Andy, the captain who had helped him during the trial, and he felt a flicker of reassurance. He also saw Kion, the boy who had taunted him and caused his downfall, on the opposing team. A familiar heat of anger and a cold resolve spread through him. This was not just a practice match; it was a chance for redemption. This was his chance to show the coach and Kion that he belonged here.

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