An experienced coach has revealed his predictions about Teko 'Dona' Modise which led to disbelief from many in the football fraternity.
During his time as the head coach of City Pillars in Mzansi's second tier league in the 2005/2006 season, Vladislav Heric had Modise in mind when he predicted that one of the players in his squad at the time would play in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"It is such an interesting story that I am always reminded about, especially by some of my former players, and it's a story from the 2005/2006 season. My former players from that time always call me to ask me about it. I was at City Pillars at the time, and the story is about Teko Modise. I said to my players at the time, 'One of you will play in the World Cup in 2010' and they laughed at me. People were falling off their chairs because of laughing at me," Heric told the Siya crew.
"When 2010 arrived and the (Bafana) line-up showed on the television I just felt it in me that I was going to receive a phone call from some of them. David Twala (former City Pillars player) was the first person to call me. As I answered the phone, he started laughing and asked, 'What's happening out there papa (father)?' I asked him, 'Why are you calling me now? Just enjoy the game! Didn't I tell you this four years ago?'" the coach quipped.
"But it was definitely not me who made him (Modise) the player he went on to become as many coaches worked with him after me, although he was the top goalscorer and Player of the Season in the Mvela League (after playing under me)," the Serbian coach added.