Original subtitles

Come on, Kalu!

- Coach. - What are you doing?

Let's go, let's go!

What are you doing at the back? Come on, move!

- Go back to the front. - Solo, ball.

Ball!

Solo, Solo...

Ball!

Kalu! Kalu!

Kalu! Kalu!

My name is Kalu, and this is my story.

Cut!

Makeup, he just needs a little bit of touching.

He's sweating a bit.

- You're doing really well. - Okay.

Just, take your time.

Otherwise, everything else is great.

Okay. Let's go again.

Roll cameras.

- Speak! - And... action.

So my father had a saying,

"Knowledge is power."

He said the more you know, the more free you are.

It took me a while to understand it but,

I understand it now.

And I'm not saying I know everything, but...

I'll tell you what I know.

I don't know how else to say this,

but you're supposed to be a team.

You're supposed to play together.

Play for each other.

I don't know what I was watching today.

- Yes coach. - I would shut up if I were you.

You are equally guilty of this nonsense.

You're not the only player on the field. You play for a team.

Your arrogance is going to cause us a game.

Well, it hasn't yet.

You do that when the scout is here and I'll take you off, understand?

The scout is coming? When?

He'll be here Saturday.

This does not change anything.

You still play for the team not the scout. Understand?

- Do you understand Kalu? - Yes.

Now go home, rest out. Saturday is a big day.

- Arsenal, here we come.

Eh, just watch.

The money here!

- Then the Gunners will see me now! - Just sign me.

What are you going to do with your signing bonus?

I'll buy a big house for my family.

And I'll take Rehema to a fancy British university.

- Where the big team talk about money. - Hey, she likes both of us.

And we'll get a flat in London. Both of us.

Hey, why can't you live in a quiet house?

I don't want to be a super model who lives with my parents.

- Let's go.

- Uh? - You're definitely leaving me a 4 by 4.

Dude, you can't even drive.

But you can. You'll be my manager, slash driver.

Alright. I'd like to be your manager.

Wait, what does a manager do?

He takes two percent of everything I earn.

- Oooh!

I'm going to love being your manager.

Sorry, Mom.

Extra time.

- Did you get the bread? - I forgot.

You should have seen me today. I was on fire.

What will your father eat

- if there's no bread? - I'll go tomorrow.

Baba, I scored and there's a scout coming for the next game.

- Really? - Wow.

- Hey, where are you going? - To get bread.

I"ll go early before training.

After training. Before the game.

That's all you ever think about, football!

What's wrong with you?

Don't worry. She'll come around.

Who is this scout?

Yeah, it's a guy from South Africa.

Oh!

There are days when you know your life is about to change.

This was one of those days.

- Let me make your breakfast. - No time. I've got to go warm up.

- Let him enjoy it while it lasts. - Hmm!

He's really good, Miriam.

He could make one of those big teams, you know.

And what if he doesn't, he'll just come back broken

and alcoholic? He's supposed to be helping you

- Learning from you. - Baraka is helping me now.

He was born a mechanic. Not Kalu.

Kalu was born for something else.

If only you could see him play, the boy has got talent.

Hey, ball.

Ball, ball, ball!

Football!

What...

Kalu!

They won't pass me ball.

Look, maybe they're afraid they won't get it back.

I can win this game. They know it. They're just jealous.

There are eleven people in that field.

You have to play with your team,

- not against them. - Kalu, are you crazy?

Go back in the field.

Look, you still have some time.

Play the game you love. The rest will come.

Wait, wait!

So, did you get anyone for Chiefs?

I'll see you next year.

See my point?

How do you expect to get picked if you don't play as a team?

Hey.

Yeah. Um... I don't know.

- I saw you. You're good. - I am.

Chief's has got enough big egos.

I'm looking for a team player.

- You're a team player, son? - Yeah.

Yes. I can be. I can be.

I can offer you a spot in the Keiser Chief's Youth Development squad.

It doesn't pay, but they will pay your expenses.

There's other benefits, like you can study.

Most of all, you get to play with the squad, you try and get selected.

You get selected, you get a contract. No guarantees.

- You still want it? - Yes!

Yes, you're a great man.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Mumbi and I have been doing it for a while.

We were kind of a thing but,

not a serious thing, if you know what I mean.

I liked her in that way.

She was my first.

And I never asked who else she's been with.

We used condoms,

when we had them.

But we didn't always have them.

I never knew exactly when it happened, but

this was when it happened to me.

This was when I got the virus.

Those purple things, that's HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

They're too small to see, unless you have a special camera.

Mumbi didn't know that she had the virus.

But it was all around her,

inside her blood and sexual fluids.

The virus sneaks into your body like a thief.

It will come through the tip of the penis.

Through tiny pores on the penis you cannot even see.

Or if you're not circumcised, through the inside of the foreskin.

I wasn't circumcised.

So this was how the virus passed from inside Mumbi to inside me.

It didn't feel different.

I didn't feel like there was something new inside me.

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

♪ Knowing Jesus is profitable ♪

♪ If it were not for God, what would I say ♪

♪ I pray God, don't you leave me ♪

♪ My heart longs for you, help me lord ♪

♪ Knowing God is profitable ♪

I'm the man of the house now.

So, if the Chiefs can't pay me yet,

I have to stay here and make money.

I can place you in a first division team in South Africa.

Second tier. Three year contract.

It's a bad career move, kid.

But it pays. It'll pay you enough to support your family.

- No! - Mom, I'll be able to send back money.

Rehema can carry on with her studies.

You can't leave! Who will run the business?

I'll do my best, Mom.

Dad Juma thought me well.

Baraka, I know you're a son in this home

- but I... - Mama, this is the best way!

Baraka will take care of you until I come back.

You won't come back!

You'll get lost in South Africa!

- Mama.

Why are you leaving us?

Mom,

We need money mom.

Mama,

if you want me to stay,

I'll stay.

That's your choice.

They say you never really become a man until your father dies.

My father was dead, but I didn't feel like a man.

It's amazing how big the world feels when you're leaving everything behind.

Well, I wasn't leaving everything behind.

The virus attacks your t-cells. Oh, helper cells like this one.

That's what's so bad about HIV.

It attacks the cells that are supposed to keep you well.

It digs inside, hijacks the cell

- and uses it to make copies of itself.

Once the infected t-cells were in my veins, the blood,

see those red blood cells, carry the virus and spread it all over my body.

T-cells against virus.

There was a game going on inside me and I didn't even know.

So, are you my signing bonus?

Same line, every time.

So you're not gonna help me carry my bags.

I'm not your porter.

No, of course not. You're too pretty to be a porter.

I'm guessing, um, cheerleader.

Maybe not. Secretary?

This is the big city, so I guess,

a woman couold be a driver.

I'm the coach's daughter.

- So, what's your name? - Ify.

It makes sense.

- Do you mind? - The back?

Do you know who I am?

It wasn't the British Premier League.

It wasn't even the South African Premier League.

But it was soccer

and it paid.

And really, right then, that's all that mattered.

Oh, what are you doing here?

I'm changing. Um, I thought practice was at three.

No one changes in here.

Damn!

I don't blame them.

So, this is our new player.

Sorry Coach. I forgot my boot, so I had to go back home and...

Anyway, as I was saying, this is our new player.

He's from Kenya. His name is Kalu Kaminju.

- Hey guys. - Guy, what's up man?

- Hey man. - He'll take my place, huh?

No one is taking anybody's place.

Two teams! Starters versus reserves for 20 minutes.

On my whistle.

Wear that.

Let's do this, guys.

- Move! Go! - Woah!

Pass the ball to avoid that.

That looks like a starter.

Here. Over here.

- Go, go! - Play the ball, not the man.

Think you've got better game?

Watch out for me.

You know I'm not a patient man, Valentine.

I like to act.

Listen,

I need to see you before the field tomorrow.

- Making new friends?

Hey, they love me.

Maybe it's not too late to go back home.

And miss out on all of this?

Never.

- Spkiri!

Push it up! Jabu, midfield!

Jabu, where's your man?

- I lost him, Coach. - Go find him!

Ah-hah!

Hey!

You didn't show me much today.

- The team was picking on me.

I bet you were the best player in your village, mh?

The village superstar.

But this is not your village.

And these players don't care who you used to be.

It's only the second tier.

- You think you're too good for this tier? - I'm gonna play for Arsenal.

Arsenal? Hmm. And I'm gonna coach Manchester United.

Right after I ride my magical pony

into the pot of gold in the end of the rainbow.

I'm giving you a chance, three months.

If you don't cut it after that, you're going home.

And if you want to leave before that I'll release you.

You sent for me, Coach?

Spkiri, your new roommate.

That's your corner.

- Is there something you wanna say? - Nope!

Hey, aren't you training tomorrow?

Tomorrow, the next day, everyday

till our bodies give out.

- We'll finally give up. - Oh!

Do you like playing?

Just wanna smoke my spliff.

Not your new best friend.

Listen here...

Don't touch my stuff.

Don't eat anything in the fridge.

Hey, can I come?

Mama, it's Kalu. How are you?

I'm good.

How are you at home?

It's going good.

I miss you guys.

We miss you too... Kalu,

- Thank you. - For what?

For doing this. For taking care of us.

I'm very thankful

Is he coming home?

Tell Mom I'm doing good.

The Club is really big and the...

players are really friendly.

Where are you staying? Is it nice?

Yeah, it's beautiful.

Look, um, I just called to say hi. So I got to go.

I love you.

The next two weeks were a blurr of bruises and bad tackles.

I tried fighting back, stooping to their level.

It didn't earn me respect. Just some more bruises.

They weren't a team.

They were just 11 guys kicking a ball around.

- They were losers. - Pass the ball here, not there, man.

So must I run now?

And now, I was a loser too.

But the virus wasn't.

I knew my team mates were against me.

But my body hadn't even figured out it had a problem.

Not bad. Pity you can't play like that during practice.

Hey, what are you doing here?

The sidelines always feel like home.

That's how I feel when I'm in the field.

So, anyway,

what is a young girl like you doing, spending so much time in a football field?

You got a thing for football players?

My mom died whan I was little. My dad raised me alone. So...

My dad died a few weeks ago.

- It sucks. - Yeah, it does.

Does it get easier?

A little bit.

So, how are you settling in?

The guys hate me.

I can't even touch the ball during practice without getting crushed. So...

- Yeah, great. - If you pass the ball more to them

they won't feel like you're trying to outshine them.

There's no team to be part of.

We don't even change in the same changing room.

So, maybe that's where you should start from.

Later, Superstar.

Hey, do you wanna get a drink,

- or food or something? - Don't push your luck.

How can you say no to this face?

I don't go out with my dad's players.

Yeah, what about when I sigh for in Arsenal?

We'll talk then.

What are you doing, man?

I'm fixing the changing room.

- Why? - Because the team should change together.

- Why? - Because it's what a team does.

What are you doing here so early?

I think I left my boots here.

Weren't they on your feet?

I thought they were, obviously not.

- We need to replace this door. - Maybe it's this one.

Huh.

Yeah, maybe.

No, I'm calling Simba, man.

He's the handy man.

Tadaa!

Girls, girls, girls!

Girls.

When you ladies are ready.

Okay.

Practice game. Starters versus reserves.

Kalu, striker for the reserves.

Spkiri, striker for starters.

Five aside. Okay, show me what you got.

Mark those ones, Jabu. Jabu?

Leave those to me. They're mine.

- Leave that one.

Hey, boy! Huh?

Huh? Huh?

Huh, Guy?

- What are you doing? - What am I doing?

Straight up, straight up!

Pass, pass!

You know, he can play when he lets go of the ego.

He's okay.

So how was that for shine? Huh?

- Them?

I gotta give you this, you are brighter than most.

Hey, get out of there.

And what's our rule about dating soccer players?

No soccer players unless they've played five World Cups.

- Hmm. - Which is impossible.

- I'm a very smart dad.

Yes, you are. And you're a very, very good coach.

- Oh, thank you.

Hey, ball.

Ah!

The virus was spreading faster now.

It was winning the game.

My body didn't know how to fight it yet.

So it could multiply as much as it wanted,

without anything stopping it.

it had spread all through my body.

So if I had unprotected sex now,

there'd be a very high chance that I'd infect the other person.

But I didn't think I was going to get laid any time soon.

And anyway, all I could see were the enemies on the outside.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this opportunity, Mr. Melaya.

- It's Goodwill, please. - Goodwill.

If you appoint me,

I feel like I could really make a difference to the club administration.

- That's very interesting. - Like, I have this,

I have this idea about

creating support structures for the players.

- Support? - Yeah.

That's a very good word. Support.

In fact, let's talk about support.

You know, your father, he's been

enjoying a great deal of support from you over the years.

- But he continues to disappoint me.

He's trying.

Well, I might have to let him go.

If he doesn't make it over the second tier,

his career is over.

You can't do that.

Come on, Ify, I'm not a heartless man.

And I have a certain kind of fondness for you.

So I'm willing to defer my decision.

Thank you.

- Anything I can do... - For a man in my position, it's, em,

it's difficult to find a woman who can keep up with me.

- Aren't you married? - Mm-mm.

My wife understands a man has needs.

Um...

- I think I have to go. - It's in the best interest of your father

that you should stay.

Come on, let me get to know you better. Mm?

Isn't this nice? Huh?

- One of the many dinners to come.

Look at this guy drinking Coca-Cola.

It's game day tomorrow.

You might not even play, on the bench.

Yeah, Coach says he'll fine anyone drinking.

Coach? Coach is Nigerian.

Oh, come on, Spkiri give him a break.

So what if he's Nigerian?

Nigerians only know three things. Selling drugs,

who knows what the other two things are.

And Kenyans?

Kalu, please can we just play?

Kenyans are too stupid to even sell drugs.

- Do you have a problem with me? - Listen to me,

you're stupid.

See this boy. He can't even stand up for himself.

Face sucker! And who should be ashamed!

Oh, you think you're a big man, huh?

But this is my team.

You're nothing and will always be nothing.

Hey, what the hell is going on here?

- We're just playing.

Look at you. What kind of a team are you?

- Drinking, fighting... - I'm not drinking.

Whose drink is that?

Spkiri, this was your last warning.

It's mine.

- What? - Yeah, the beer,

it's mine. The Coke is his.

I didn't think the ban was for servers too.

Got a little bit out of hand.

- Both of you, home. - Yes, sir.

Hey, I did it for the team, not you.

I know.

You're not coming home?

I'm going to see a girl, man.

Hey, what's wrong?

Dinner with Goodwill.

- Oh!

I should get home.

- Hey whoa.

Ify, you're drunk.

I can't go home like this. My dad...

- I'm so stupid. - Hey, hey, hey.

That's the last thing you are.

He said he wants to get to know me better.

So? Just tell him no.

He threatened my dad.

He said he'd... He said he'd fire him.

Your dad would put himself in front of a bus for you.

Do you think he'd care

if he lost his job because you won't give it up for a pig,

like Goodwill?

Your dad is a good coach. He'd get another job.

You... You're worth more,

more than a second division coaching job.

Much more.

You see, this is important.

Even though I had the virus in my blood and sexual fluids,

You can't pass it on through saliva or even tears.

So even when we were kissing, I couldn't infect her.

But I could easily pass on the virus during sex.

- Wait. - What? Something wrong?

Good thing I had a condom,

which kept the virus from passing in or out.

Let's watch that again. The virus shoots and it's blocked

You're beautiful and smart.

You don't need Goodwill for anything.

I don't want to talk about him.

It's a game of two halves.

I don't have another condom.

I trust you. You're a good guy.

But even good guys can have HIV.

If she hadn't been drinking, she wouldn't have done it.

If I wasn't so in love with her, I wouldn't have done it either.

I'd been infected for a couple of months, the virus had all its players in the field

it was the worst time to have sex without a condom.

And the virus could easily go through the wall of her vagina

That's how the virus passed from inside me to inside Ify.

She trusted me and...

I don't like thinking about it.

- Hey. - Hey.

I missed you this morning.

Do you regret what happened? Because I don't.

Last night was perfect.

- It can't happen again. - Why?

- It's complicated. - I like complicated.

There's my dad. And, if Goodwill knew...

- Who cares if Goodwill knows? - I care.

He's mean and he wants me. And if...

- he finds out I'm with another player... - You shouldn't let Goodwill run your life.

It's not just the right time, Kalu.

When it is, come see me.

I'll be around.

Until then, I'm here if you need a friend.

Great Joe, did you bring your boots?

My mom did it for me.

You must do the same to your defenders, my friend!

Where do we change?

Right there.

So I played my first game to an empty stadium.

It was a good game none the less.

Kalu, fall back.

Push!

- Don't waste... Yes!

This is what I mean when I say you must marry your man.

You must tie the knot.

This team is going to be flawless. You must suffocate your defence.

You must know where he'll be. You must be the shadow.

Big ones, you go. Go!

Yes!

Come on, you're getting lazy. Come on.

Bye.

Wow!

- I got a job. - That's good. What are you doing?

Working on one of the sponsors on the football development program.

Hmm, nice. So proud of you.

Thank you.

Look at you two, young love.

- So obvious. - No, we're not... we're...

Nah, don't worry about him.

Kalu Kaminju?

- Yeah? - Zachman Ndoro.

Can we talk?

Chiefs really wants Kalu, yeah?

But he still has a contract with us. Three years.

We'll be happy to buy him out of this contract.

And at a reasonable transfer fee.

Hm, that's a generous offer.

- He should be playing in the big league. - Eh.

- I'm afraid I have to decline. - Goodwill,

- it's a good offer. - Kalu is not ready.

I'm ready. Tell him, Coach.

He's too young. He still needs to learn.

And these lessons he can only learn here.

That's the highest I can go.

It's er...

Ah... I can't.

Goodwill, we can buy a new striker.

We can buy a whole team for that money.

And you know Kalu is too valuable for us to just give away like that.

-Come on, -The offer is good for a week.

If you change your mind.

- No I won't. - Let me see you out.

Hey! That was my big chance! Are you stupid?

You should be nicer to me,

because I still own you and I can do whatever I like with you.

Everyone was so friendly, even the women.

And they've got such big plans for the development program.

They don't just focus on football

I found they were running voluntary HIV testing and counselling

for some of the football clubs.

What's wrong, Daddy?

It's Goodwill.

- He's been very unreasonable. - What's it, Dad?

Chiefs want to buy Kalu.

And made a very generous offer and Goodwill turned it down.

- Why? - He's talking about, er,

- Kalu having a lot to learn or something.

- Where are you going? - Um, work stuff. I won't be long.

Ah, it's late. Can't it wait?

It can't. Don't worry. I'll be back soon, okay?

Bye, sure.

Ify, what a pleasant surprise.

My dad told me about the Chief's offer.

So it's not a social call in. How disappointing.

I thought you'd be happy to get rid of Kalu.

You know, Kalu,

Kalu ruined one of my opportunities.

And I feel it's only fair that I should

- ruin one of his. - His opportunities are real.

This is important to him, Goodwill. It's his life.

- Don't ruin it because of me.

You must really care about him a great deal,

to sacrifice your father's career for his.

My father will always have work.

Okay.

- Fine. - Fine?

Yeah, I'll release him.

Just like that?

You know Ify, I'm not a monster that you believe I am.

And I still have something of a soft spot for you.

- So if it makes you happy... - It does.

Then I'll do it.

I'll call Chiefs tomorrow.

Thank you, Goodwill.

You're doing the right thing.

I believe I am.

Hey, is everything alright?

Goodwill is transferring you.

You're going to Chief's.

How? How did you...

Wait, you didn't sleep with him. Did you?

No! I just asked him and he said yes.

You're amazing. You know that?

I should go.

Hey, you know,

I'm not one of your dad's players anymore.

- He'll survive. - No, I mean,

can I take you out for dinner and say thank you?

- Friday? - I'll go to work.

So, we go after your work, then.

Fine. You're paying.

I guess all I'm trying to say is...

I really had a good time.

Good luck, boy.

Nice, boy. Nice one.

Good luck, my bro.

Happy for you.

- It shouldn't hurt. - I know.

All the big tough players in the waiting room

were arguing about who will go first.

I volunteered.

Not a lot of people are smiling when I take this test.

I'm just thinking about somebody.

Well, Goodwill, has Kalu's transfer come through?

Yes, the money's through.

- He officially belongs to Chiefs now. - Good.

Is there anything else?

- It'll only take ten minutes. - That's fine.

I don't have any money. I don't have any money.

I'm terminating your contract, effective immediately.

You'll receive appropriate settlement but you must be out by this afternoon.

You can't do this. I've given you ten wins in a row.

- You can't do this! - I can.

- I did.

It's already done.

Give my regards to Ify.

Alright. Let's take a look.

What?

Hey.

They tried to break my knee.

But it is only my leg, so...

I'll be back in the field in no time.

Hey.

- Hey, come here. I'll be alright.

I went for an HIV test.

Okay. Why?

I... I have it.

I'm positive and you gave it to me.

It wasn't me.

It can't have been me.

- It's someone else. - There was no one else.

- You were the first. - I can't have been the only one!

You've been sleeping around.

- How many other men, Ify? - You were the only one.

- I trusted you.

Who was it? Was it Spkiri?

- Was is Goodwill?

You gave it up to Goodwill, didn't you?

I know you're lying! You have to be lying!

New coach sucks.

Oh, Kalu, you ever gonna talk again?

Hey, I'm coming. Piss off! This is not your mother's house!

- Goodwill. - Is that how you talk to me?

There he is. Take him out.

I'll break your other knee boy, okay?

Why do you want me?

- What are you doing? - Get out!

- Good... Goodwill you can't do this.

Wait!

You, Spikiri!

I've got eyes everywhere, do you hear me?

If you bring him back here into this flat

that I'm paying for, you will be out.

You know, get some sun in here.

Yeah.

Er...

There's something I kept for rainy day.

- Oh, I'm good. - It's a loan.

Pay me back when you, when you start playing again.

Spkiri knew I wasn't going to play agian.

And I knew too.

Football, life, everything.

I'd given up.

But my body hadn't.

It was fighting back.

It admits these yellow antibodies to fight the HIV.

It managed to kill off a lot of the virus.

- But it was still there.

Spreading slowly now, quietly.

I got a job. It wasn't the life. It was just a job.

But it paid.

But one day, I finally got the strength to apologise to Ify.

It had been too long and I wanted to make things right.

Hi. Can I help you?

Hi. Um, I'm looking for Ify.

Ify? Oh, you mean the girl that used to live here?

They moved about a year ago.

Hey!

- Jabu. - I thought you had left the city.

The guys have been trying to get hold of you.

Yeah.

Hey, you're a painter now.

- How did you know? - Hey, man...

Oh. Yeah.

Mom said I had to get a job after we got relegated.

She said division doesn't pay.

And...

- Say hi to the team. - You should come by.

I don't think Goodwill will let me near the field.

Ah, come man! Goodwill sold Stars.

He owns Silver Arrows now.

At least someone got to the Premier League.

So are you gonna come play?

It'll be fun, man. Like old times.

I can't, man. My leg...

Oh... okay.

You know, we should call each other... Do something.

- Ah, yeah. - Alright.

- See you. - See you around, Jabu.

Buddy, have you seen a yellow truck with

paint tins at the back?

- No! - That's the third time I lost it this week

The boss is sure gonna kill me.

Come, come!

Hey, this way!

- What is this? - Run, man!

What are you doing there?

- Hey! - Oh, superstar!

- Hey... - Hey, hey!

Yo, man. I was gonna call.

Yeah, man. No worries.

It's not like I missed you anyway.

- Hey, are you okay?

It's just a cold. Hey.

Hey, you're a security guard now, huh?

Hey, I'm a cashier in a supermarket.

- Yeah. So, are you ready to play, boy? - No.

- Just came to see how you guys are doing. - Huh.

Yeah.

We've lost every single game we've played.

- Where's the coach? - Mm.

What happened to Valentine?

- Assistant coach, the Alex Shooters. - Assistant?

- In the second division? - Goodwill...

He have hurt a lot of people.

I think this is the last year, for all of us.

Losing wouldn't have felt so bad if we weren't winners.

The dream is fading now. I know that.

Jabu is what? Thirty years old?

And I'm no spring chicken myself, you know.

There's not much left in these legs.

You know, I had this dream of playing in a fully packed stadium.

- Sold out, bam! Huh!

Commentators talking about me.

They'll be like, "Spikiri this, Spkiri that".

Most amazing.

I can't live that dream. I know that.

But I... I was hoping for one decent season, man.

Hey Coach.

- What do you want? - Can we talk?

Ify doesn't want to see you.

And I have nothing to say to you.

It's... It's not about me.

It's the team.

- How is she? - Off-limits.

She told you about what happened?

Yes.

I'm sorry. Will you tell her that?

- What do you want from me, Kalu?

- I need a favour. - Yeah?

Well, your chances aren't very good.

I went to see the team.

It's falling apart.

Everybody is leaving at the end of the season.

That has nothing to do with me.

- Coach, they need you. - I have a job.

I know what it's like to retire a loser.

Those guys and you, you shouldn't know this feeling.

What do you want me to do, Kalu?

Give up my job to coach a team that doesn't care anymore?

They care, Coach.

What do you say, Coach?

A passing on game, for old times sake?

Valentine did the impossible.

A defence is a unit. You think together.

You move together.

Everybody must know what to do at the right time.

At the same time.

He turned the team around.

They won a few games, scored a few goals.

And Valentine became the full time coach again.

Striking is about being explosive.

All this without me.

It's about making sure you get to the ball first.

Time, after time, after time.

But I couldn't have stepped onto the field anyway.

I was still scared, still worried.

Not just about my leg.

I did saw was happening inside my body.

Eventually, I stopped going to the games.

It was easier to sit at home.

In time, my body couldn't win against the virus.

The antibodies didn't work anymore.

And too many t-cells were dead.

I wasn't sick yet.

But if I didn't get treatment, it was coming.

Kalu, it's Valentine.

Hey, go away.

- You stopped coming to the games. - I got bored.

We're through to the players of the Access Bank challenge.

- Hey, you won't win. - No, we'll not.

Not without a striker.

- Spkiri is okay. - Spikiri...

Spkiri is retired.

Kalu, you know the team. You know how we play.

So? Huh, so?

You didn't want me in the team.

Do you remember what you said when you first came looking for me?

Well, you said, "It's not about me. It's for the team."

- My time is over. - It's not over unless you give in.

Now you have a choice to make. You can either give up,

or you can face your fears, walk up to the field,

and be someone.

Coach, do you hate me?

For what I did to Ify?

I was angry.

But I never hated you.

And I don't think you deserve to be living like this.

Practice is tomorrow at three p.m.

Kalu, be someone.

Okay, gents. We're gonna start up with a warm up run.

Ten laps. Last man in, does ten more.

- Okay? Go.

So sorry I'm late. It won't happen again.

Ten laps. And pick up the pace or you do ten more.

Pick up the pace!

It was good.

Yeah.

- Ah, man that game was beautiful. - Yeah, it was.

- That's okay. - Hey, hey.

- Ify!

- Ify, wait. - Why?

So you can call me a slut again?

So I can tell you how sorry I am.

- For that and for every thing else. - Fine.

Apology accepted. Have a nice life.

Wait.

- I'm back on the team. - Good. Great.

- Congratulations. - Ify, please.

I'm trying to start again with everything.

With me too?

- I never stopped thinking about you.

- If I could take back what I said... - You can't.

- Move on. I have. - I am moving on.

By playing soccer again?

- It's a start. - It's a distraction.

- Have you even been tested? - No.

This isn't a new start, Kalu.

Just picking up from where you left off.

If you want a new start,

take some responsiblity for your life.

Go get tested. Know where you stand.

You don't want to end up like Spkiri.

I got this flu that just won't go away.

Makes it hard to run.

You mean, you've had it for a while now?

Maybe... Maybe you should go see a doctor.

I'm scared.

What if I have AIDS?

It's just better to know.

Oh, come, on.

What's the point huh?

- You have to know. You have to know.

Because knowledge is power.

Ify was right. I've spent a lot of time running away.

Pretending nothing was happening.

And the virus is so small, it's easy to pretend it's not there.

But it was there in my blood.

And it showed up on the test.

You know the smart thing about HIV,

the test paper has those parts the virus stuck to it.

And when my antibodies and those parts of the HIV touch,

they cause a chemical reaction that makes a red line on the paper.

So even though you can't see the virus, you can see the result.

Maybe you knew all along deep down.

But when you hear it,

when it's written down on paper, that you're HIV positive,

It's like you've been punched.

But when you can breathe again and you realize, "I'm still breathing."

That has to count for something, right?

Then I started thinking what exactly happened

that night Ify and I slept together.

See, when you have sex with someone,

it's like sex with all the people they have been with.

I had an unprotected sex with Mumbi

but I didn't know that Mumbi had had sex with two other men.

Clyde, her first boyfriend

and then this guy, Musa for few months.

Then there was everyone those two guys have had sex with.

When I was with Mumbi, it's like I was having sex

with all these other people that I have never even met.

Through Mumbi, I was carrying the virus Musa had given her.

And I gave it to Ify.

If I had known we were connected in this way,

I could have chosen to protect myself for Ify.

I could have said no.

But I had no knowledge. No power.

What do you want, Kalu?

You were right.

It was my fault.

I should have protected you.

We were both there that night.

I know.

I have to start treatment.

I got to go. I just wanted you to know.

You've done the right thing.

Kaizer Chiefs...

That's where I was supposed to start.

There are different kinds of medicines for HIV.

They're called ARVs.

None of them can take away the HIV. There's no cure.

And I could still infect someone.

But treatment stops the virus from spreading inside me.

So it can't hurt my body's defence system.

Some medicines damage the HIV so it can't infect the other cells.

Others work on the HIV already in the cell.

It stops it from hijacking it and making new viruses.

It's like defenders on the field, blocking every path the virus uses to attack.

And as the defenders started working,

my body got stronger and stronger.

Alright ladies, the first play off

is in two weeks time. We got lucky.

We drew a third tier. But,

there are no easy games.

What are we gonna do? Are we gonna win?

- Win, Coach. - Are we gonna win?

- Win, Coach. - Create two sides on my whistle.

Kalu! You have a lot of things to work on!

Black stars have overcome their first examination.

Unto the knock out stages of Access Bank cup.

"Dear Mama, I am sorry that I've not been in touch.

I'm sure you must have thought that I was lost in South Africa.

And I'm sorry if that caused you pain.

Mama, I was lost

but slowly, I'm beginning to find myself again.

And I think you will be proud of me. I think father would be proud of me too".

Unbelievably the Black Stars

now one match away to a fairytale final.

The underdog marches on.

Juba Matila with the winning goal! We have Black Stars dream run continues.

They have their date with destiny.

- What's that? - I got it from from a traditional healer.

I'll be good in no time.

Hey, that won't work.

- Hey,

This cured my uncle's stomach problems.

Muti is good for a lot of things,

but not HIV.

I'm on ARVs. If you don't take ARVs you'll die.

- How are you feeling? - Nervous.

We're up against Goodwill's eight boys.

Bye, Zandiwe. See you tomorrow.

- Honestly, they could kill us. - They could.

You know, you were never a good cheerleader.

You were never worth cheering for.

- So, will you come to the game? - I don't know.

Come on. I need my good luck charm.

I mean, there'll be scouts there, media.

nd since when am I your good luck charm?

- Since forever. - Hmm.

Good afternoon and welcome to Orlando stadium.

Access Bank NebCup final lists as the giants,

Silver Arrows prepare to take on Black Stars. These are exciting times!

Okay guys, gather round. I want you all to know,

no matter what happens out there,

I've never been prouder of this team.

You, you, you! No matter what happens,

- We are all winners! - Yes!

- Yes, sir! - The striker has a bad leg.

I will give ten thousand rands to anyone

who puts him on a stretcher,

even if you get sent off I don't care.

- Do you hear me? - Yes.

Silver Arrows!

All roads lead to Orlando stadium this afternoon.

Nothing else in the country matters as South Africa watches on.

- to see who of the two will come out of...

-Goodwill Manuye, - Let's go, boys!

- or Valentine Chukwu, time will tell.

There is Kalu.

- That's my boy. - Yes!

The ball moving quickly across and Lucas Chuma,

looking for the chance ever for a great prospect of a goal but he missed out.

Come on! Okay, come on!

Looks like Kalu Kuminji is out of his depths as is his team this afternoon.

Stay with him. Stay with your man.

Kalu, stay with him.

- What's wrong with you, boy?

What are you doing? I told you stay with your man!

...the inside game is attacking now.

Kalu Kuminji in front of him.

Oh, you see that!? Went through passed him!

Curves him from the outside, it's the opening goal!

So the referee signals the end of what has been

a dominant first half display from Silver Arrows there

blown the Black Stars out the park in the first 45. One has to wonder

if the side from the lower divisions can come back to this match in the next half.

"Where is Kalu Kaminju?" is what the Black Stars supporters

will be asking at this point.

And as for Silver Arrows, they should be leading by more than

just one goal to nil.

- Hey, we can still win this. - No, we can't.

They've got us paged. Wherever we turn, they're there.

- They're too fast. - They're too fast.

It might be true. Hm?

You might not win today.

But you guys have done more than anyone ever thought you could.

No, it's not good enough, Coach.

I'm a painter, and I hate it.

I hate the overalls. I hate my boss.

And I hate the stupid truck that keeps disappearing.

- And I hate that you always laugh at me.

- Look, I know I'm a loser.

But you are too. We all are bunch of losers.

That's why we look so pathetic out there.

It's because we know we're losers and we expect to lose.

But then here is my problem.

This is my last season, probably my last game.

I can't play anymore.

I'm just too old. So from tomorrow on,

I'm going to be a painter, and I've accepted that.

But I don't feel like losing today, gents.

You wanna know why?

Because most of us here will never be this close to victory ever again.

I mean, who would have thought that a bunch of losers like us,

getting so close, so close we can touch it.

It's not about the coach. Not about me.

It's about each and every one of us.

And if each man wins his own little battle, the team wins!

Simple!

And tomorrow we go back to what we do,

at least we'll have something, something that no one can take from us.

- We will be the losers who won!

- We are Black Stars! - Yes!

We are Black Stars! Yes!

You can do this, Kalu. You've come this far.

It just doesn't seem right today.

Stop forcing it. Play the game you love and it will come.

Go.

So Access Bank knock-out Cup final, it is

The second half is upon us now.

Silver Arrow lead by a goal to nil, so dominant in the opening half.

They deserve more than this.

But now they need to build up on the second half.

And for Black Stars, they need to change the game plan, change their tactics

because whatever they were doing in the first half, was completely ineffective.

And for Silver Arrows, they'll be looking to pickup where they left off

in the first half and that's knocking on their door looking for goal.

Close him down now. Close him down!

Oh, what a challenge from Jabu Pazulu

Crowd cheering and it seems as though...

Ball to the guy. Head to the guy!

- Come on!

Inside, inside!

The Black Stars are looking far more fluid now. I mean, well past the hourmark.

The major difference here in the second half is that the Stars seem to be playing

with a whole lot more belief than what we saw in the first half.

Now Kalu Kaminju gets on the end with Wallis,

- got to the 18 yard area... Wow! He's down!

And a penalty, it has to be. The referee points to the penalty yard.

And now the penultimate minute of this game. They need that levelling goal.

They've built up on such momentum. The man that is down,

Kalu Kaminju, has led this side back into his match.

And the problem here to the Black Stars is

will he be able to get back on his feet

to take the penalty?

It seems that though the leg that is injured is the one that has kept

him out of the game for a period of three years.

I can feel the pressure is starting to build for Black Star here

Palms will be sweaty, the hearts will really be pounding.

I mean Jabu Pazulu and Zulu between them

It looks like they have not even decided who's going to take the penalty.

This is tough times for the Black Stars. They are the underdog.

- Get up!

- Take the penalty. - Hey man, go and take it.

- Take the penalty.

This is the stuff heroes are made of here.

Kalu Kaminju who looked as though would not finish this game,

with seconds remaining on this match,

is back up on his feet. His right leg seems to be okay.

And he seems to be the man stepping up to the plate

for the big moment here.

It's Kaminju up against Vincent Dladla.

It's the moment of truth. This could take the game into extra time.

Kaminju stepping up. Dladla on his line.

- Kaminju makes it one-one.

What a game we've got!

There's a real sense of belief now from the Black Stars side, I think

that the goal finally gave them the belief that they needed.

No support for Kalu Kaminju,

coming up from the overlap, Jabu Pazulu.

It's very heavy times...

It's kicked in the line.

- Click, click bang! A very last attack.

Black Stars have clitched it, and there indeed is a heavy...

- ...spectacular!

And that is how you win a title!

We did it, boy!

We did it, Spkiri! We did it!

You're full of nonsense, man!

Why are you playing rubbish? Huh? Hey, man!

Do you hear me? You played rubbish!

- Kalu!

My good luck charm.

And cut.

And now you're signed up with Arsenal. That's a great story.

Just one more thing.

What is the most important lesson that you learned?

- I learned that...

Knowledge is power.

Subtitles translation by: Regina Njoku