From trialist to champion, Modiba sets the trend

United midfielder wants more players to emulate him

Despite being the first player to come from the Ke Yona team search and win the Nedbank Cup, SuperSport United midfielder Aubrey Modiba still yearns to see more success stories of the initiative.

Modiba, a 2015 graduate of the Ke Yona team search, helped his club SuperSport United to defend their Nedbank Cup title by humiliating Orlando Pirates 4-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last Saturday.

Notwithstanding his recent accomplishment, the Limpopo-born player still desires to see more players walking the path he has walked.

“My dream is to see more players from the Ke Yona search coming through and achieve what I have achieved.

“It is possible irrespective of where you come from. It is all because of hard work and knowing what you want in life,” Modiba said.

“My life has changed tremendously because now people can recognise me. It gave me exposure and I hope it can also help other youngsters as well.

“Before the Ke Yona coaches identified me, I was at the [Safa] School of Excellence and I had been trying but things were not coming together,” stated the 2015/16 Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season, an award he won while still with Mpumalanga Black Aces.

However, it has not been all smooth sailing for the left-footed player who spent five years at the School of Excellence.

“I used to wake up very early

‘‘ My dream is to see more players from Ke Yona coming through and achieve what I have

in the morning and catch a taxi to attend various trials, but it did not work until the Ke Yona initiative came through,” revealed Modiba, who has now bought himself a VW Polo and no longer uses taxis.

“My family get whatever they want because I provide for them. Their lives have changed for the better since I signed my first professional contract [in 2015 with Black Aces],” added the man who turns 23 next month.

Modiba has travelled with his Matsatsantsa teammates to Guinea for tomorrow’s CAF Confederation Cup Group D clash against leaders Horoya at the 28 Septembre Stadium (5pm SA time).