Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise has paid tribute to Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune, revealing how a setback at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations helped shape the goalkeeper’s career.
Modise, who played alongside and against Khune, believes the former Amakhosi captain used his lack of game time at the tournament as motivation to establish himself as Bafana Bafana’s number one goalkeeper.
The two former teammates represented South Africa at the 2008 AFCON, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted on home soil.
Speaking on a Soccer Laduma podcast alongside Khune, Teko reflected on the goalkeeper’s journey and explained why his rise to prominence did not surprise him.
“I’ve played against you many times. There was a stage in our career where brands were fighting for us, right? And I remember when we went to the first AFCON, I think it was 2008, you never got an opportunity to play.
“At the time, the coach didn’t believe in you that much. But what I did for you not playing in that AFCON, you became a beast after coming back. You became the number one keeper in the country,” Modise said.
The former midfielder also highlighted Khune’s passion and technical ability, revealing that the goalkeeper enjoyed playing outfield during training sessions.
Teko on how Khune became Mzansi’s no.1
“For me, when I saw you become the number one, it was not a surprise because we saw you coming up. We saw the passion you had. You could also play inside; people do not know that at training you loved playing inside, you loved taking free kicks,” he added.
Modise went on to describe Khune as one of the best goalkeepers he had seen in South Africa, praising the standard he set for others in the position.
“I say it proudly, and I say you’re one of the best I’ve ever seen in the country. You’ve set a standard for goalkeepers within the country itself as to the way it should be.
“I just hope with the career you have had, we can see many more, not just goalkeepers but footballers that will be loyal to teams, and teams that can be loyal to players as well, regardless of what happened at the end,” Teko told Khune.