Teko Modise, one of South Africa’s most beloved football icons, has opened up about a major “what if” moment in his illustrious career—a missed opportunity to join Kaizer Chiefs. While many remember him lighting up the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in the black and white kit of Orlando Pirates, or later hoisting trophies with Mamelodi Sundowns, Modise says his heart was once firmly set on donning the gold and black of Amakhosi. But according to him, Kaizer Chiefs’ football manager Bobby Motaung simply never followed through.
The Call That Led Nowhere Teko Modise Reveals
In a candid conversation on the Izinja zeGame podcast, Modise revealed that his journey to Chiefs could have begun shortly after his debut season in the National First Division with SuperSport United. He recounted how Motaung personally called him and expressed interest in bringing him to Naturena.
“Bobby Motaung called me after my first season in the Mvela (NFD) and said, ‘I want you to come play for Chiefs’. I told him I was ready. But I waited… five, six years. He never came back,” Modise recalled. “That’s when I started disliking Chiefs.”
Meant for the No.10 at Chiefs
Modise went on to explain that Kaizer Chiefs was the first team he ever supported as a child. His football idol, Doctor Khumalo, wore the iconic No.10 jersey for Amakhosi—a jersey Modise believed was destined for him.
“I didn’t care about the money. I just wanted to play for Chiefs. I knew that jersey number 10 had my name on it. I would’ve done wonders there.”
Pirates Step In
But despite the mutual admiration, no concrete offer from Chiefs materialized. As Modise’s time at SuperSport neared its end and they looked to offload him, it was Orlando Pirates who acted swiftly. Chairman Irvin Khoza didn’t just reach out—he invited Modise to the Pirates headquarters in Parktown and laid out a compelling vision for his future.
“When I got to Parktown and met the chairman, Dr. Khoza, he made it clear why Pirates was special. He gave me love and belief, something I never got from Chiefs,” Modise said. “It wasn’t a hard choice. I wasn’t there to say no—it was a dream to play for a big club.”
The Success That Followed
The rest, as they say, is history. Modise dazzled fans at Pirates before achieving peak success at Mamelodi Sundowns, winning multiple trophies including the prestigious CAF Champions League title in 2016.
A Silent Missed Opportunity
Still, the story of what could’ve been lingers—a dream of playing for the club he loved as a boy, dashed by silence from the very man who once expressed interest.
Whether it was a case of miscommunication, hesitation, or simply a shift in priorities, Bobby Motaung’s failure to follow up on his initial call shaped the course of South African football history. And for Modise, the ghost of what could have been at Naturena still haunts the tale of his otherwise glittering career.
A Legend’s Unwritten Chapter
Teko Modise’s story is a powerful reminder of how one missed call can alter the course of a player’s legacy. While he went on to become one of the most celebrated figures in South African football, the absence of a Kaizer Chiefs chapter in his career still feels like an unfinished page in his personal journey. His reflections not only reveal the emotional weight of that missed opportunity but also underscore the importance of timely action and communication in football management. For fans and future players alike, Modise’s tale is both inspiring and cautionary—a legend who rose above disappointment, but never forgot the silence that changed everything.
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