Exclusive Interview: Bafana Bafana Legend Teko Modise Chats to Sports Brief

Sports Brief had the opportunity to conduct a blitz interview with Teko Modise at a Hollywoodbets event during which the Bafana Bafana legend was unveiled as the betting operator's new brand ambassador

Former professional footballer and current studio pundit Teko Modise had a quick chat with Sports Brief South Africa after being unveiled as Hollywoobets' latest brand ambassador.

SB: So Teko, which nickname do you prefer: The Navigator, The General or Donadoni:

TM: I go with all the nicknames. Corporate likes to use 'The General' because of the 2010 [World Cup] McDonald's involvement. 'The Navigator' is from the pitch. I think it was from Baba Mthethwa on how I played. 'Donadoni' is the name that I got while I was still young. I use these nicknames in different ways depending on who is calling me.

SB: What does it feel like for you to team up with a brand like Hollywoodbets?

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TM: To team up with Hollywoodbets is exciting, and not with just them as a betting company. Look at the CSI work that they are doing. Look at all the kasi tournaments that they are doing. They are sponsored by Hollywoodbets, and I was one of those kids playing in them, trying to get a chance, trying to get spotted. With sponsors involved you might get spotted early. Besides that, there is women's football that is pretty organised with league that was created. That inspires many young girls to make into professional football. These are things that I am passionate about.

SB: Who do you have winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup and why?

TM: I'm caught up in two minds. Brazil and Argentina... I think Brazil has a squad that, individually, they are on form, but Argentina, they have got a TEAM that is on form. That's the difference. Argentina, before losing yesterday, had 34 wins in a row, so I want to see them both in the final.

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SB: How many African teams are going to make it out of their groups, and which one is going to go the furthest in the competition.

TM: I think two African teams will get out of their groups. Senegal and Morocco. Morocco will furthest because Senegal lost Sadio Mane.

SB: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and former players Doctor Khumalo, Mbulelo Mabizela and Lucas Radebe have recently criticised the standard of the PSL in relation to Bafana not qualifying for the world cup. What do you make of this.

TM: One thing that I can say is that if we want to evolve as Bafana Bafana and the PSL, we need initiatives like the Diski Challenge. They allow only certain age groups to play, which should then become part of the PSL. Why don't you make it a rule that a certain number players aged 23 and younger MUST play regularly? This gives them more experience at an earlier age, allowing them to be integrated into Bafana Bafana. Without that, we will still be calling 25-year-olds youngsters. If we can get rid of that, and make it a law that youngsters must play, I think that is where we will come right.

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SB: What message do you have for young girls and boys watching the World Cup, who have big dreams about their own futures?

TM: You can aspire to play in the World Cup. You can dream of playing in the World Cup. I was one of those kids who dreamt of playing in it once it was announced that we would be hosting it in South Africa. At the time, I wasn't playing in the PSL, I was playing in the National First Division. What I am saying is that dreams do come true. You need to work hard to realise them. Everybody appreciates the end product, but not the effort and the hours that you put in. If you want to be great, if you want to be good, put in the work because that's what gets you to become the best.