In-form Golden Arrows winger Pule Mmodi has opened up on his failed move to Kaizer Chiefs, which initially left him feeling “down”.
Mmodi was said to be on his way out of Arrows to join Chiefs, but iDiski Times sources understand the Soweto giants could not meet the fee Arrows chairperson Mato Madlala had asked.
That led Mmodi to stay at the club even though he was sure that he was leaving Arrows, something that co-coach Vusi Vilakazi confirmed at the beginning of the season.
Vilakazi, who was given the co-coaching Arrows job alongside Mabhuti Khenyeza before the season started, said after Arrows’ first game of the season, a loss to Richards Bay, that Mmodi was affected by the failed move and was not at his best in that game.
Mmodi, though, has now explained that he had to keep on working hard for his dreams.
“I was never disturbed. Since the move didn’t happen, I told myself that I will work hard and there’s nothing I can do,” Mmodi said after he was asked by iDiski Times.
“But initially I was down, but there was nothing I could do.”
However, Mmodi is a different player now after those matches, having also accepted his situation that he was not leaving Abafana Bes’Thende.
Mmodi, who is a man of few words but a different player on the field, looks to be revitalised.
He was handful for Arrows as the Durban-based side thumped a poor Swallows side 4-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The 29-year-old was one of the scorers, clipping the ball over out of sorts Thakasani Mbanjwa in the 14th minute.
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He should have grabbed a second on the day but his shot crashed the upright in the second half. However, Arrows recycled the ball in that moment and Nqubeko Dlamini thumped the fourth to sum up a glorious day for Arrows and terrible outing for the Dube Birds.
Mmodi, in scoring in this match, became the first player in the league this season to score in four consecutive games.
“I feel happy,’’ said Mmodi without hesitation.
“I have been working hard and there’s still more to come. So what is happening right now is very encouraging.”
Mmodi’s fine form has been rewarded by national team coach Hugo Broos, who called him up to his Bafana Bafana squad that will face Sierra Leone and Botswana in two friendly matches, starting on 24 September and four days later, with all games taking place at FNB Stadium.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
