SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt has shared an incredible story about how he found the perfect replacement for former Bafana Bafana star Teko Modise.
In 2007, Hunt had just joined SuperSport United and was preparing for the 2007/08 season with Teko Modise as the key player. But just weeks before the season started, Hunt received unexpected news: Modise was sold to Orlando Pirates.
Speaking on Sports Night Amplified, Hunt recalled how Elias Pelembe came to United as Modise’s replacement.
“Pelembe [Elias] – it’s an unbelievable story. He came to us in pre-season, that was my first year there. Teko Modise was our best player, and I didn’t want to lose him. I mean, are you serious?” Hunt shared.
However, Hunt was caught off guard when the club chairman told him Modise was leaving.
“My chairman calls me and says, ‘We have to do the deal.’ I said, ‘What’s he doing? Where is he going? Are you mad? He’s our best player!’ He said, ‘No, he’s going to Pirates.’ I was like, ‘Oh, thanks very much.’ I’m a week away from the season, and then he says, ‘But I’ve got someone for you.’”
At first, Hunt was skeptical.
“Who’s that?” he asked. The chairman replied, “He’s from Mozambique.” Hunt jokingly responded, “Mozambique? They’re fishermen there, they catch fish, and now they’re going to play football?”
When Pelembe arrived, Hunt’s doubts only grew. “He came in with legs the size of toothpicks, weighing about 45 kilos. He couldn’t speak English. I thought, ‘Oh no,’” Hunt said.
However, after just 45 minutes of training, Hunt was proven wrong. “He came onto the training ground, and I ran off after 45 minutes to make a call. I said, ‘Sign this guy. Sign this guy!’”
Although Pelembe couldn’t speak English that first year, he showed immense gratitude. “He would just say, ‘Thank you, coach,’ every time I gave him instructions. I’d say, ‘Do this, stay here,’ and he’d reply, ‘Okay, thank you, coach.’”
Under Hunt, SuperSport United went on to win three consecutive league titles, with Pelembe playing a key role in their success.
