Modise Reveals How Close He Was To Joining Chiefs

Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana legend Teko Modise speaks on how his move to the Soweto Giants materialised 

Check it out!

What's the story?

One of South African football's modern legends, Teko Modise, sat down with DJ Sbu on Radio 2000 and got candid about his journey to professional football and his big move to Orlando Pirates.

"Dona" spoke about the grueling pathway that led him to superstardom at the Buccaneers and touched on how he almost joined Kaizer Chiefs!

Read: Joyful Scenes As Downs Secure Seventh-Consecutive League Crown

Let's take a closer look...

Modise on his journey to Bucs

Teko Modise is regarded as a Premier Soccer League royalty – a highly skilled midfielder raised in Soweto, who had successful spells at big clubs such as; SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

The two-time PSL Footballer of the Year won three league titles with Downs and Bucs, as well as a CAF Champions League crown in 2016 under arguably the most influential coach in his career, Pitso Mosimane.

Modise's journey to SA football stardom wasn't the smoothest one, seeing him start out at Ria Stars in the early 2000s before making his breakthrough at Matsatsantsa in 2006.

Despite enjoying a successful period at the Buccaneers, Dona grew up supporting Kaizer Chiefs and idolising Doctor Khumalo, with the midfielder telling DJ Sbu that he almost joined the Glamour Boys instead of the Spartans.

He mentioned how he was scouted by Chiefs while at City Pillars, during their Nedbank Cup encounter, a match which altered the trajectory of Modise's career. 

"Bob [Motaung] calls me and says 'you need to come to Chiefs' and I'm like; 'thank God, this is what I've been working for,' but I couldn't tell him that. I then blocked everything out [other offers] because I felt that I didn't need anyone else," revealed Modise, who also recounted how he saw a newspaper article about how all 16 PSL clubs were chasing his signature.

"I knew in my heart where I wanted to go but also I couldn't deny the fact that if coach Khabo Zondo, who was coaching Golden Arrows at the time, wanted to speak to me about joining on loan, I would speak to him because I'm that professional. I spoke to Jomo Sono face-to-face and also Pitso Mosimane, who was at SuperSport at the time. 

"But the person [Bobby Motaung] I'm waiting for is not coming through. Instead, they send the late Siphiwe Mkhonza who called me to meet up. He tells me that Chiefs loves me and I say 'I know', and he says; 'Yeah man, you need to come to the Village' and I'm like; 'Okay cool, who am I going to speak to? I can't just go there and say: Guys, here I am.'

"Also, at that time, two days before, I was speaking to Orlando Pirates, I was speaking to Screamer [Stanley] Tshabalala. So, in my mind, I'm speaking to people who matter, decision makers. I understood why they sent Mkhonza because I was with him at Ria Stars, I told him that I needed to called by a decision maker at Chiefs and the never did, and then I chose SuperSport." 

"I played there for one season and then that's when the real Teko Modise started, I joined Orlando Pirates," added Modise.

Read: 'The Standards Are On The Floor At Chiefs'

Here's what Modise had to say about joining the Sea Robbers:

Watch the full interview below:

Have your say on Teko Modise nearly joining Kaizer Chiefs...

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.