Former Bafana Bafana international Teko Modise shared his heartfelt words upon announcing his retirement from professional football, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The 36-year-old playmaker played his final game last weekend when he captained Cape Town City in their 1-0 defeat to Black Leopards at the Thohoyandou Stadium on the final day of the Absa Premiership season.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder also helped the Citizens secure fourth place in the league standings, while claiming his last piece of silverware when City defeat SuperSport United in the finals of the MTN8 at the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

Modise has since retired from professional football after his stellar career playing for the likes of SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City.

The veteran midfielder showed his gratitude towards his former teammates and former coaches, Benni McCarthy and Pitso Mosimane, who impacted his game on and off the field.

‘I don’t know where to start, maybe just to be brief, to announce properly that I am actually retiring from being a professional footballer and also to speak about what football has done for me and being part of that, I want to thank the chairman and Cape Town City. From the first day that I came to the team, they received me very well, they made my stay very comfortable and to Coach Benni, it was honourable working with him, even though sometimes he is a little bit crazy but his passion for football is unmatched,’ Modise said.

‘I also want to thank many coaches that I worked under, Pitso Mosimane for helping me to win so many trophies in my career and helping me as a footballer to mature. There are so many coaches, I also want to thank Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United as well for giving me the platform and opportunity to showcase my talent, but this is the day that all that comes to an end.

‘I thought I had so many words to say but I don’t, it is not an easy thing to do, sometimes I get very emotional.’