Teko modise biography for kids

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This period marked his tactical evolution as a playmaker, emphasizing creativity and precise passing to compensate for the lack of high-caliber support around him. The reports nonetheless drew widespread media interest and saw Kenneth Ngobani, a resident of the surrounding township, claim that while he was not Modise's father, he had raised him after his step-father had kicked him out of the home he lived in with his mother.

These early achievements highlighted his vision and playmaking ability in midfield.[43][45]Building on his COSAFA success, Modise accumulated several caps through friendlies and qualifiers in late 2007 and early 2008, establishing himself as a regular under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. He was also the team captain for the 2012–13 season.

After he stopped playing, he joined the staff at Cape Town City Football Club.

Many people think Modise is one of the best players ever in the PSL. He started his career in smaller leagues with teams like Ria Stars and City Pillars. He was then selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which was hosted by South Africa the following, but drew criticism after poor performances in the opening two matches.

This was his only season with Ria Stars. In May 2006, he won the league's Player of the Season award. In later years, he transitioned into a mentorship role for younger talents, guiding players such as Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly, Khama Billiat, and Themba Zwane on tactical awareness and professional discipline to help them integrate into the first team.[35] This advisory influence extended beyond on-field instructions, fostering a culture of development that bolstered Sundowns' squad depth and long-term success.[35]

Cape Town City

In July 2017, Cape Town City signed veteran midfielder Teko Modise as a marquee addition to their squad following his departure from Mamelodi Sundowns, where he had enjoyed significant successes including multiple league titles.[36][37] Over his two seasons with the club from 2017 to 2019, Modise featured in 34 Premiership matches, starting 27 and contributing 1 goal and 2 assists, while making additional appearances in cup competitions for a total of 45 games and 1 goal across all tournaments.[38][30]Modise played a key role in Cape Town City's cup campaigns, including their run to the 2018 MTN8 title, which they secured by defeating SuperSport United 4-1 on penalties in the final after a 0-0 draw, marking the club's first major trophy in the competition.[39] His experience helped stabilize the midfield amid the team's push for silverware, though persistent injuries, such as a hamstring issue early in his tenure and a hip problem in 2018 that threatened to end his season prematurely, limited his consistency.[40]Modise announced his retirement from professional football in May 2019 at age 36, shortly after captaining Cape Town City in a 1-0 league defeat to Black Leopards on the final day of the 2018-19 Absa Premiership season, bringing his playing career to a close after over two decades.[41][1] In reflecting on the decision, he described the moment as deeply emotional, expressing gratitude to the club for providing a fitting platform to wind down while acknowledging how recurring injuries had eroded his passion and physical capacity for the game.[41][42] He emphasized the challenge of transitioning away from the pitch but viewed his time at Cape Town City as a positive closure, having helped the team finish fourth in the league and claim the MTN8.[41]

International career

Debut and early international appearances

Teko Modise earned his first call-up to the South Africa national team, Bafana Bafana, based on his strong performances as a midfielder for Supersport United.

This recognition paved the way for his PSL debut with SuperSport United, where his career quickly gained momentum.

Teko Modise Club Career Highlights

Ria Stars and City Pillars

Modise debuted professionally with Ria Stars in 2001, but the club folded soon after. He expressed concerns over the team's shift away from its fluid, attacking identity, particularly after loaning out key forward Lucas Ribeiro, warning that such decisions could lead to a challenging season and urging a return to foundational tactics to maintain dominance in African football.[67]Beyond broadcasting, Modise engages in public speaking and motivational sessions focused on football tactics and personal development.

His stay was brief but impactful, setting the stage for a major career leap.

Orlando Pirates

Modise joined Orlando Pirates in 2007 and quickly made an impression, winning back-to-back PSL Footballer of the Year and SAFA Footballer of the Year awards. He later passed the captain's armband to Alje Schut. During his time with Nike, he was one of only ten global athletes selected to wear limited-edition pink Mercurial SuperFly boots.[88] He renewed his Nike partnership in 2015, featuring in campaigns that showcased his on-field performance and personal style.[88] In 2015, while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns, he transitioned to a sponsorship deal with Adidas, emphasizing performance gear for professional athletes.[89] For automotive brands, Modise became a Volkswagen ambassador in 2016, receiving a Golf GTI as part of the agreement tied to his role at Mamelodi Sundowns, though he lost the endorsement upon transferring to Cape Town City.[90][91] He subsequently aligned with Lexus in 2017, promoting luxury vehicles through his association with Cape Town City.[92]Beyond traditional sponsorships, Modise has engaged in fashion-related endorsements, reflecting his personal interest in style.

He played as a midfielder and was even a captain for the Bafana Bafana (South Africa's national team). They had a traditional wedding in 2018.

Honours and Achievements

Mamelodi Sundowns

  • Premier Soccer League: 2013–14, 2015–16
  • Nedbank Cup: 2015
  • Telkom Knockout: 2015
  • CAF Champions League: 2016
  • CAF Super Cup: 2017

Orlando Pirates

  • MTN 8: 2010
  • Telkom Charity Cup: 2008, 2009

Cape Town City

South Africa

Individual Awards

  • Mvela Golden League Player of the Season: 2005–06
  • PSL Footballer of the Year: 2008, 2009
  • COSAFA Cup Player of the Tournament: 2007
  • PSL Midfielder of the Season: 2015
  • Nedbank Cup: Player of the Tournament: 2015
  • Football Player of the decade - RSA: Setshaba Thamaga Independent Awards: 2017

See also

In Spanish: Teko Modise para niños

Teko Modise

Modise was born in Meadowlands, South Africa.

Teko Modise

Teko Tsholofelo Modise (born 22 December 1982) is a South African former professional footballer who played primarily as an attacking midfielder.[1] Nicknamed "The General" and "Techno M," he is renowned for his vision, passing accuracy, and leadership on the pitch during a career spanning over 15 years in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).[1] Modise achieved significant success with top clubs, including three PSL titles (2011 with Orlando Pirates and 2014, 2016 with Mamelodi Sundowns) and the 2016 CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns, and he earned 66 caps for the South Africa national team, Bafana Bafana, scoring 10 goals while captaining the side at tournaments such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[2][3]Born in Meadowlands, Soweto, Modise was the youngest of three children and was raised by his single mother in Diepkloof after his parents separated early in his life.[4] He developed his skills playing street football in Soweto before joining youth academies such as Coventry FC (South Africa), City Rebels, and Ria Stars.[4] Modise made his professional debut with Ria Stars in 2001, before joining SuperSport United in 2006, where he quickly established himself as a promising talent, prior to moving to rivals Orlando Pirates in 2007, amassing over 100 appearances and contributing to two PSL Footballer of the Year awards in 2008 and 2009.[5][6] His transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2011 marked a prolific phase, with 143 league appearances, 14 goals, and key roles in winning the PSL twice (2014, 2016) alongside domestic cups like the Nedbank Cup and MTN8.[5] Later, he had a stint with Mamelodi Sundowns followed by a final season with Cape Town City FC, where he recorded 291 total PSL appearances, 35 goals, and 46 assists before retiring in July 2019 at age 36.[5][7]Internationally, Modise debuted for Bafana Bafana in 2007 and became a mainstay, featuring in the 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations as well as South Africa's hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, though his form dipped during the latter tournament amid personal challenges.[3] His international career ended in 2012, but his 66 caps underscored his status as one of the PSL's most decorated midfielders.[3] Post-retirement, Modise transitioned into media and business, serving as a SuperSport pundit, Mamelodi Sundowns ambassador, and brand endorser for companies including Huawei and Samsonite, while pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in South Africa's sports sector.[8]

Early career

Early life

Teko Tsholofelo Modise was born on 22 December 1982 in Meadowlands, a suburb of Soweto in Gauteng, South Africa.[1] As the youngest of three siblings—with an older brother, David, and sister, Kgomotso—he grew up in a challenging family environment.[9]Modise was initially raised by his father, Steve Sekgaila, a former amateur footballer and staunch supporter of Kaizer Chiefs, who introduced him to the sport at a young age and often took him to watch the team's matches at the stadium.[9] Modise was kicked out of the home at the age of eight, after which he lost contact with his father.[10] He then moved to live with his single mother in Diepkloof, Soweto, adopting her maiden name, Modise.[10]The socio-economic hardships of Soweto profoundly shaped Modise's early years, as he spent months living as a street child, surviving by scavenging food from bins, sleeping in makeshift shelters, and enduring periods of hunger lasting up to three days.[10] These experiences, marked by familial abandonment and urban poverty, instilled a deep resilience in him, forging the determination that would later define his path toward organized football.[10]

Youth and amateur football

Modise's introduction to organized football occurred in the youth leagues of Soweto, where he played for the amateur teams Coventry and City Rebels based in Meadowlands.

He played his first professional game in the PSL on 2 September 2001.

teko modise biography for kids

Modise also helped the club to a last-16 finish in the Nedbank Cup where they were ultimately eliminated by Kaizer Chiefs despite him scoring a brace.

In August 2006, he returned to the PSL when he signed for Superpsort United, managed at the time by Bafana Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane. The following season, he led Pirates to a runners-up finish in the league, losing out on goal difference to Supersport United, and in the Telkom Knockout.

The next season, he helped Pirates finish second in the league. When Pitso Mosimane became the head coach at Sundowns, Modise was made club captain in his second season. Nike even selected him as one of only ten global stars to wear a special pink Mercurial SuperFly boot.