2026-09-06, 10:03 AM - Word count:
I had worked it all out to have someone else talk to Kaz about this week's game, trying to enjoy a long weekend off. It seemed to be in the cards until I got a text saying "Good luck" from the one covering for me.
I knew it was too good to be true.
Before I could message them back to figure out what was going on exactly, my phone rang. It was Kaz. Of course it was.
I answered.
"You doubted me, didn't you? You doubted us."
It was his usual accusatory tone; I shouldn't have been surprised.
"Actually, I was telling people you had a chance, despite the odds."
It was true; I actually had been speaking to a few people, and had mentioned that despite the fact that they were playing against AS Paris, one of the top teams, and were expected to lose by a few goals at the least, I felt they might surprise people and keep up. Turns out I was right, but even I was surprised by how much I was right. While Kaapstad wasn't able to pull off a win against AS Paris, they were able to fight hard and earn themselves a 0-0 draw.
"Well, either way, don't do it again."
He hung up after that. I wasn't sure if he was telling me not to doubt him or not to support them. I wasn't about to ask.
I knew it was too good to be true.
Before I could message them back to figure out what was going on exactly, my phone rang. It was Kaz. Of course it was.
I answered.
"You doubted me, didn't you? You doubted us."
It was his usual accusatory tone; I shouldn't have been surprised.
"Actually, I was telling people you had a chance, despite the odds."
It was true; I actually had been speaking to a few people, and had mentioned that despite the fact that they were playing against AS Paris, one of the top teams, and were expected to lose by a few goals at the least, I felt they might surprise people and keep up. Turns out I was right, but even I was surprised by how much I was right. While Kaapstad wasn't able to pull off a win against AS Paris, they were able to fight hard and earn themselves a 0-0 draw.
"Well, either way, don't do it again."
He hung up after that. I wasn't sure if he was telling me not to doubt him or not to support them. I wasn't about to ask.
