Imagine Teko Modise wearing the iconic Kaizer Chiefs jersey. It’s a tantalizing thought, given his legendary status in South African football. However, it almost became a reality — but Chiefs never pulled the trigger.
Modise, a footballing icon who rose to fame at Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, revealed that while he dreamed of playing for Chiefs, the club never came through with an offer. Speaking on the Izinja zeGame podcast, Modise shared his thoughts on what could have been.
“I was sold on Orlando Pirates by Irvin Khoza, and it was an easy decision for me,” he said. “But, honestly, I could have joined Chiefs if they had made the offer sooner. After my first season in Mvela (National First Division), Bobby Motaung called me personally and said, ‘I want you to play for Chiefs,’ and I told him, ‘I’m ready when you are.’ But for five or six years, Chiefs never came through, and that’s why I started disliking them.”
Modise reflected on his early days as a fan of Chiefs, recalling how the number 10 jersey at the club felt like a perfect fit. “I knew I could do better than the Chiefs players at the time, and I could’ve had those performances in a Chiefs jersey,” he added. “The first club I was introduced to as a kid was Kaizer Chiefs. My idol, Doctor Khumalo, played there, and I wanted to be a part of that legacy. I didn’t care about the money — I just wanted to play for Chiefs.”
Despite the missed opportunity, Modise’s career remains one of the most celebrated in South African football history. What could have been, however, will always remain a thought-provoking ‘what if’.
