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I have a bit of history with him

Soccer Laduma

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November 20, 2025

In Part Two of our interview, Modabi opens up about what led him to part ways with Pirates as one of their junior coaches and also talks about the lessons he learned from the club. With his trademark honesty and humour, Modabi also sheds light on what truly makes Pirates different – from the hunger demanded at training to the humility expected off the field - and why, for him, the Buccaneers' biggest gift wasn't just a coaching job, but a lasting education in structure, discipline, and belief.

Gerald Modabi is one of the players who came through the Barney Molokoane Football Academy before he was recruited by the late Thomas Madigage and Pitso Mosimane to join SuperSport United. At Matsatsantsa, Modabi mesmerised opponents with his skills and blistering pace and went on to play for teams like Wits University and Dynamos before joining Orlando Pirates.

ent coaching philosophies at the club. I learned, absorbed, and combined them into my own. Today, I can run a full training session for a Betway Premiership or NFD (Motsepe Foundation) side without feeling intimidated by big-name players. I've learned that as a coach, you're the leader - you take charge. You allow players to express themselves, but they must respect the structure. That’s something Pirates taught me, and I plan to use it fully going forward.

MQ: Listening to you, it sounds like you've gained a lot from your time at Pirates.

GM: Definitely. Pirates gave me knowledge, structure, and discipline. I'm confident I'll make a good PSL coach one day.

MQ: There’s a new man at the club now, Roscoe Krieling, who replaced “Duku Duku” Makhanya as DDC coach. What are your impressions of him, and how do you see him continuing the work done before him?

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