Papi Zothwane in action against Kaizer Chiefs in the mid-2000s. Photo: Gallo Images

Papi Zothwane in action against Kaizer Chiefs in the mid-2000s. Photo: Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns gave Teko my No.10 shirt without my consent – Zothwane

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Papi Zothwane has recalled how the No.10 shirt was taken away from him without his consent.

Papi Zothwane in action against Kaizer Chiefs in the mid-2000s. Photo: Gallo Images

Papi Zothwane in action against Kaizer Chiefs in the mid-2000s. Photo: Gallo Images

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Papi Zothwane has recalled how the No.10 shirt was taken away from him without his consent.

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In an interview with Off The Pitch with TK, Zothwane said he was watching Sundowns on TV when he saw Teko Modise wearing the No.10 shirt that belonged to him.

The previous season, Modise was wearing the No.8 shirt at Sundowns with Zothwane donning the No.10 shirt.

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According to Zothwane, it was clear that Sundowns no longer wanted him the minute he saw Modise wearing the No.10 shirt without his knowledge.

And senior players at the time, which included Surprise Moriri and Esrom Nyandoro were also as surprised that Modise was donning the No.10 jersey.

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They duo took the matter up with Trott Moloto but never succeeded as Modise continued to don the No.10 shirt at Sundowns.

“The team was playing but I knew that I’m not part of the team because I was still on my crutches but I had already started walking,” said Zothwane.

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“I was watching the game, and here is No.10. Teko is wearing No.10. I was like, ‘guys, so I no longer have a jersey in this team?’.

“And I still had a contract… for a season. It’s the beginning of the season. Teko is wearing No.10. He was wearing No.8 (the previous season), and the new season starts, and he’s wearing No.10,” added Zothwane.

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“I said to myself, ‘that means I am no longer a Sundowns player. I’m just having a contract’,” explained Zothwane.

“Surprise phoned me and asked, ‘are you still with the team or not?’. I said to him, ‘my man, as far as I know, I am contracted to Sundowns,” he said.

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“And he asked, ‘and then the No.10?’, I said, ‘I don’t even know’. He asked, ‘didn’t they speak to you?’…I said, ‘nothing’,” recalled Zothwane.

“And then Esrom, Surprise had to speak to Trott (Moloto) to say, ‘what’s happening? Why is Papi’s jersey being taken without consulting with him?

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“And I said, ‘guys, speak to them. I will see you guys when I come back’. I then started my rehab. I came back and I was just wearing something for training,” added Zothwane.