They focus entirely on being Pirates

Few former players understand the Orlando Pirates way quite like Gerald Modabi.

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Having once worn the famous Black and White jersey and later served as part of the club's DStv Diski Challenge technical team, Modabi's football journey has come full circle. From his days in the engine room as a no-nonsense midfielder to guiding youngsters eager to follow in his footsteps, Modabi has lived and breathed the Buccaneers philosophy from both sides of the touchline.In Part One of this interview with Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina, the former Pirates man opens up about the club's well-structured development model, its obsession with discipline and identity, and the standards instilled by Head Technical Manager for Youth Mxolisi Mngomezulu. He reflects on working alongside Joseph "Duku-Duku" Makhanya, the rise of promising talents like Relebohile Mofokeng and Cemran Dansin, and the lessons he continues to carry long after leaving the club.

Masebe Qina: Gerald, you've had the unique privilege of both playing for Orlando Pirates and later being part of the club's DStv Diski Challenge technical team as a coach. Looking back, what does the club's philosophy around youth development mean to you personally?