Modise rewrites 'Bad luck carrier' tale
By Herrold Lamola (@Lamola_eitcHDee)
Teko Modise has re-written a well documented story in media circles. The 'Bad luck carrier' story has made headlines in the past but Teko has written a new chapter that changes the entire book.
One of the most criticized players of his generation, Teko 'Google Earth' Modise, was less fortunate earlier in his career. Modise made a belated breakthrough at SuperSport United before securing a big move to Orlando Pirates in 2007.
Modise was labelled a 'carrier of bad luck' by the media and the public in large. His move from Supersport United to Orlando Pirates meant he would miss out as Gavin Hunt’s side won three consecutive League titles in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Modise was one of the fan favourite footballers in South Africa during his stay at Orlando Pirates. Despite his name rising above his peers, Modise couldn't help Orlando Pirates to win any title on offer. His silky skills went unnoticed as he was amongst the most highly rated players at Pirates alongside Katlego Mashego, Dikgang Mabalane and Siphelele Mthembu. The quard made an exciting combination 'Bucs big four Ms'.
Modise fell out of favour with the then Pirates coach, Ruud Krol, and he didn't feature for Orlando Pirates for the most part of the season. Modise's only way out of the situation meant he had to leave Pirates for bitter rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in 2011. The very same season that Modise left Pirates, The Sea Robbers went on to win three trophies and The Buccuneers repeated the trophy-hatrickt the following season.
With Modise missing out on the success of his previous teams in that manner the alleged 'bad luck carrier' tag proved to be true. The General as he is affectionately known among his peers needed a magic to turn his luck. From working with a Dutch legend in Ruud Krol at Pirates to join another legend of Total Football, Johan Neeskens, at Sundowns Modise gelled with the team and adapted with ease.
Modise rejuvenated under Neeskens and he was visibly enjoying his game again. Neeskens said something to Modise that he was longing to hear from his coaches. Modise told kick-off Magazine "What Neeskens told me is what I wanted to hear from all the coaches that I have worked with."
Neeskens gave Modise the captaincy armband and the infamous jersey number '10'. Modise says it came as a shock to him to be granted the most respected jersey. Modise told Kick Off "I actually cried when the coach (Neeskens) gave me the jersey." His teammates then decided to give him more of the blessings. They gave him the nickname 'Google Earth'.
'Google Earth' alleged curse continued under Neeskens. Sundowns reached two Cup finals (Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup) but failed to clinch neither of the two. Losing the League Cup (Telkom Knockout to Bloemfontein Celtic was the end of the journey for Johan Neeskens. Pitso Mosimane came to Sundowns rescue as they were fighting for survival and facing relegation chop.
Modise's alleged 'curse' ended two seasons after the appointment of Pitso as Sundowns mentor. 'The General' himself took a long range from the centre line and scored against Itumeleng Khune to give Sundowns an edge over Kaizer Chiefs. Modise's goal was the talk of the town after that game as it turned the tables. Chiefs lost the league that night as they had to chase Sundowns from that night.
Modise went on to score against Supersport United at Loftus Versfield in a 3-0 win over Tshwane rivals to seal the league victory. That was Modise's first ever club title as a footballer. "I still want to go home and wait for it (reality) to sink in." Modise told kick-off.
'Google Earth' has won the Caf Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns following a convincing 3-1 aggregate win over Zamalek. Sundowns is the second team in Southern Africa to win the continental championship. Two South African football giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are the only sides to win the Caf Champions League title.
Orlando Pirates won the title in 1995 in Cote d'Ivore against Asec Mimosas.
Teko Modise has re-written a well documented story in media circles. The 'Bad luck carrier' story has made headlines in the past but Teko has written a new chapter that changes the entire book.
One of the most criticized players of his generation, Teko 'Google Earth' Modise, was less fortunate earlier in his career. Modise made a belated breakthrough at SuperSport United before securing a big move to Orlando Pirates in 2007.
Modise was labelled a 'carrier of bad luck' by the media and the public in large. His move from Supersport United to Orlando Pirates meant he would miss out as Gavin Hunt’s side won three consecutive League titles in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Modise was one of the fan favourite footballers in South Africa during his stay at Orlando Pirates. Despite his name rising above his peers, Modise couldn't help Orlando Pirates to win any title on offer. His silky skills went unnoticed as he was amongst the most highly rated players at Pirates alongside Katlego Mashego, Dikgang Mabalane and Siphelele Mthembu. The quard made an exciting combination 'Bucs big four Ms'.
Modise fell out of favour with the then Pirates coach, Ruud Krol, and he didn't feature for Orlando Pirates for the most part of the season. Modise's only way out of the situation meant he had to leave Pirates for bitter rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in 2011. The very same season that Modise left Pirates, The Sea Robbers went on to win three trophies and The Buccuneers repeated the trophy-hatrickt the following season.
With Modise missing out on the success of his previous teams in that manner the alleged 'bad luck carrier' tag proved to be true. The General as he is affectionately known among his peers needed a magic to turn his luck. From working with a Dutch legend in Ruud Krol at Pirates to join another legend of Total Football, Johan Neeskens, at Sundowns Modise gelled with the team and adapted with ease.
Modise rejuvenated under Neeskens and he was visibly enjoying his game again. Neeskens said something to Modise that he was longing to hear from his coaches. Modise told kick-off Magazine "What Neeskens told me is what I wanted to hear from all the coaches that I have worked with."
Neeskens gave Modise the captaincy armband and the infamous jersey number '10'. Modise says it came as a shock to him to be granted the most respected jersey. Modise told Kick Off "I actually cried when the coach (Neeskens) gave me the jersey." His teammates then decided to give him more of the blessings. They gave him the nickname 'Google Earth'.
'Google Earth' alleged curse continued under Neeskens. Sundowns reached two Cup finals (Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup) but failed to clinch neither of the two. Losing the League Cup (Telkom Knockout to Bloemfontein Celtic was the end of the journey for Johan Neeskens. Pitso Mosimane came to Sundowns rescue as they were fighting for survival and facing relegation chop.
Modise's alleged 'curse' ended two seasons after the appointment of Pitso as Sundowns mentor. 'The General' himself took a long range from the centre line and scored against Itumeleng Khune to give Sundowns an edge over Kaizer Chiefs. Modise's goal was the talk of the town after that game as it turned the tables. Chiefs lost the league that night as they had to chase Sundowns from that night.
Modise went on to score against Supersport United at Loftus Versfield in a 3-0 win over Tshwane rivals to seal the league victory. That was Modise's first ever club title as a footballer. "I still want to go home and wait for it (reality) to sink in." Modise told kick-off.
'Google Earth' has won the Caf Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns following a convincing 3-1 aggregate win over Zamalek. Sundowns is the second team in Southern Africa to win the continental championship. Two South African football giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are the only sides to win the Caf Champions League title.
Orlando Pirates won the title in 1995 in Cote d'Ivore against Asec Mimosas.
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