Chapter 18: Desire to conquer. A trio is born.

The final score in York was 0-0, but what caught everyone's eye was the sheer difference between the two teams. An all out attack by Supa Strikas was stopped in its tracks by a single man. The birth of Supa Strikas superior Attacking trio was stopped by the sheer brilliance of Alex Goliath's defending.

"Can I have your shirt?" Alex said, Jan ding his own shirt to Andile.

"Uhmm. Sure" Andile replied, taking of his and exchanging shirts with Alex before heading to the lockeroom with the other players.

Alex then stopped Coach Spenza before he walked off. Talking to him as the stadium cleared.

"You. You're him aren't you." Alex said, as Spenza stood infront of him.

"Don't know what you are talking about." Spenza said, seemingly confused.

"Your fellow coach told me you wanted me. And told me I should give you today to make me change my mind." Alex said.

"So did we manage to convince you to join us. We know about what York means to you so we won't force you or anything." Spenza said, rubbing his head.

"See you next summer Coach, or is it winter in South Africa!" Alex said, also walking towards the lockerooms.

The Supa Strikas lockeroom was dead quiet when Coach Spenza walked in. Everyone looking defeated and out of breath.

"Dull mood ain't it. So where to from here? You have not won a single match in pre-season, do you know your level? Do you see where you must improve? What is your future looking like?"

"You misunderstand something today Coach." Mateo said, speaking up.

"That is?" Spenza replied, seemingly intrigued.

"Pre-season ain't over yet. We still have one match left." Zuko spoke up, smiling.

"Still doesn't mean anything if you can't win." Spenza said, looking at Zuko.

"Who said we aren't gonna win? At Strikaland, infront of 60 000 screaming fans, for our final pre-season game. We will win." Andile said, standing up as everyone else joining him.

"We are sure of it." Ryan reiterated.

"But does a simple pre-season game matter? After then what? What is the goal for the season ahead? You can't just take it one game at a time like we have been doing in pre-season." Spenza said, smiling.

"Ain't it simple. We gonna win the league." Theo said, Walking out of the baths.

"What gave you that idea?"

"We went toe to toe with York city. We have hugely surpassed the level of the African Super league in these 3 games. We lost a lot of players because of your selection policy, and got thrashed in Rome, barely survived In Shanghai due to Mark's brilliance, but in York we were a team, against our toughest pre-season opponents without our best player. What makes you think we can be beat at our strongest?" Theo replied as Spenza, North and Klaus all smiled.

"Seems that win at Strikaland is no longer needed. This team finally has the third requirement. Confidence." North said.

Miami, Florida USA.

Mark is in a home gym, jogging on a treadmill with a knee strap on his injured leg, with bandages on his foot.

Luther comes in and throws a towel and a bottle of water at Mark who catches them before stopping the treadmill.

"Aren't you pushing yourself too hard. Your foot is not even fully healed and yet you are doing this."Luther said, as Mark gulped down the bottle of water.

"I have to get back there, by opening week at the very least." Mark said, wiping the sweat on his face with the towel.

"You're just gonna make the injury worse bro. They said you would miss atleast a month. Why are you pushing it so much? You could Injure yourself more." Luther continued.

"There is a tradition in Strikaland. The team captain has to make the first kick of the season, to lead the team into a new season, like he leads then every game." Mark said, starting up the treadmill once more.

"And you are willing to risk your career over that? Be for real big bro." Luther angrily said.

"Yes. The last time was when Rasta got injured, that was more than 20 years ago. Since then every single kick off in the new season has been done by the team captain. Who am I to break tradition." Mark said, as he began running on the treadmill.

A couple hours later.

Flight from York to Joburg.

Zuko, Andile and Mateo are sitting together on the flight. All three seemingly tired and stuck in their own worlds.

"Heard what you and that Goliath fella said to each other during the game." Zuko said, turning towards Andile.

"Which part?" Andile replied, seemingly playing dumb.

"The one about the massive weight on your shoulders. Your father's and his brother's. Just wanted to say, I've got the same feeling." Zuko said, as both he and Andile did a fist pump.

"Why do you guys do it?" Mateo said, wearing a sleep mask, seemingly drowsy.

"What do you mean? It's all we know." Andile instantly replied.

"I mean you could've been anything. Your parents are two of the best players in football history. Millionares even. You could've lived a life of leisure from the day you were born to the day you died. Why force yourself this weight if you are gonna bitch about it." Mateo said, opening one eye in his sleeping mask.

"I mean we love football. Who our parents are has no bearing on who we choose to become." Zuko said.

"Yeah. But you became what they were. Look I love football, and that's why I play it. But it is not my dream, I just got stuck here along the way." Mateo said, closing his sleeping mask and seemingly going back to sleep.

"Then why do you play it. Why not chase your dream?" Andile said.

"Because my Papa's dream is at stake, the weight of an entire nation is on my shoulders, I have to achieve it for them, for him." Mateo said, going to sleep as both Zuko and Andile looked at each other, dumbfounded.

"Then what is your dream?" Andile said, looking worried.

"To sleep. So shut the hell up." Mateo said, turning away from the other two.