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Sundowns fans loving life. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Former Pirates & Bafana star – I sold three of my cars

Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates playmaker Teko Modise has opened up on some of the financial issues he faced as a pro footballer.

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Sundowns fans loving life. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Former Orlando Pirates, Sundowns and Bafana Bafana playmaker Teko Modise is one of the most celebrated players in Mzansi.

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Former Orlando Pirates star Modise admits to troubles with money

‘The Navigator’ was known for his ability to spot a pass and execute it like almost no other South African player of his generation. With fame and notoriety comes money, and sometimes cash drives bad decisions. Teko, who represented two of the nation’s biggest clubs, and his country at the World Cup in 2010, has opened up on some of these issues.

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Modise discusses how things changed in the Mother City

Modise says he put things right when he moved to Cape Town to wear the colours of Cape Town City, after a long period of bad financial decisions with Pirates and Sundowns.

“I downgraded my lifestyle, and by that I mean I scaled down on what I was spending. I got a smaller apartment, I sold three of the four cars I had and instead of blowing R50 000 on sneakers, I would just get one pair. But people started whispering that I no longer had money and as a result I had just one friend left,” revealed Modise to Phakaaathi.

“That’s why I was able to adjust to moving to Cape Town City – what I earned there compared to my salary at Mamelodi Sundowns was chalk and cheese. I was one of the highest earners at Sundowns and with bonuses, I could still survive when I joined a new club. I learned the hard way.”

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Teko Modise Sundowns Orlando Pirates Bafana Bafana
Teko was a Bafana Bafana star in his Sundowns days. Image: SoccerLaduma

Teko talks mental health

Modise says there was a point when he felt depressed during his playing career, and spending money was a coping mechanism and way of filling a void.

“In football we don’t talk about coping with depression. I went and bought a car because I was depressed. I felt the need to be loved and accepted. A wiser me wouldn’t go and buy material things to make myself feel good. That was a bad decision,” he admits.

“I thought the financial flexibility I had would fill the void. It was about trying to belong. I had no business buying a car that cost me R22 000 a month. But the best education is experience. What I had done taught me a lot about finances in general.”

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Teko Modise Sundowns
Teko Modise during Nedbank Cup 2023 Final Press Conference. Image: Gavin Barker BackpagePix

Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game.

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