"You're too fast now," he laughs, his chest heaving.
This would be an unremarkable scene - but even a week ago Twala would not let himself hope for such a moment. "I was scared that I'd never be in his life again," he admits, looking at his son as he flicks the ball into the net.
For the past 18 months, Twala, 35, has been living in limbo in Ankara after he was prevented from boarding a flight back to Manchester following a holiday with Mason and the rest of his family in December 2022.
Last week the Home Office withdrew an exclusion order that prevented him from returning to his British son and life in the UK, conceding that it should never have barred him. In the early hours of yesterday morning, Twala finally made it home again.
Mason was eight when they last lived in the same country and will be 10 next month. Twala is acutely aware of the lost time. "I didn't know you'd got that good," he says of Mason's football skills. These moments of happiness are tinged with loss. "I've missed out. He's grown so fast."
The case is a reminder of the way the Home Office's "hostile environment" policies continue to inform ministers' thinking.
Denne historien er fra June 12, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra June 12, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL
Rick Parry has accused the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid, arguing that without the \"variety and competition\" that come from relegation and promotion the game would become \"sterile\".
Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video
The Football Association has launched its own investigation into the behaviour of the referee David Coote after remarks he made about Jürgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online this week.
Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official
Referee who has been caught on video in a foul-mouthed tirade against Jürgen Klopp officiated 21 Liverpool games. Andy Hunter takes a look at the decisions in each one
Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football
Is it really a surprise that an official or someone similar should end up glassy-eyed and spitting toxins on a sofa?
Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale
In-form Newcastle defender can show Thomas Tuchel he can be the solution to perennial problem on the left
'It's about robust planning, proper financial control'
is about \"preventing the shocks\" that have disrupted the sport in recent years.
'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'
The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special
Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up
Manchester City maintained their 100% start in the Women's Champions League group stage as second-half goals from youngsters Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino were enough to beat a determined Hammarby side.
Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis
The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a \"sharp learning curve\" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.
No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks
England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
