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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane believes Teko Modise is still a good player despite the "Navigator" struggling for form since the Confederations Cup.
"Jingles" handed the Orlando Pirates midfielder another call-up by naming him in the 22-man squad to face Sierra Leone on October 10 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Modise had been expected to be overlooked as he has failed to secure a regular starting spot with the Buccaneers.
However, Mosimane refused to bow down to the pressure to axe the former vice captain, insisting Modise forms part of his future plans.
He said: "Teko is a very experienced player. He's been with us from the African Cup of Nations in Ghana (2008), he's been to the FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup with us.
"He is a former (PSL) Player of the Year. We are talking about Teko now, hey! I will support Teko.
"I supported Siyabonga Sangweni and now he is playing at Golden Arrows when his coach said the first time that he wasn't a good player.
"I have supported "Pa" (Siboniso Gaxa) when he was not playing at Sundowns."
Mosimane added: "Am I going to drop MacBeth Sibaya because he didn't play the full match against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions Leagueon Wednesday? I must support all my players."
The Bafana boss admitted Modise need not have the best game when he was booed off the field by Pirates fans in the MTN8 semi-final, first leg.
He said: "Teko didn't play such a good game against Kaizer Chiefs in that first leg, yes, but I believe Teko will make a good contribution en route to 2014.
"I don't believe Teko is a bad player and all of you don't believe he is a bad player either.
"Let's cut out this issue of Teko. He is a very good player and I will support him. He's not missed training at Pirates, even when he was dropped for the match against Kaizer Chiefs... he is a good, good player," concluded Mosimane.
"Jingles" handed the Orlando Pirates midfielder another call-up by naming him in the 22-man squad to face Sierra Leone on October 10 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Modise had been expected to be overlooked as he has failed to secure a regular starting spot with the Buccaneers.
However, Mosimane refused to bow down to the pressure to axe the former vice captain, insisting Modise forms part of his future plans.
He said: "Teko is a very experienced player. He's been with us from the African Cup of Nations in Ghana (2008), he's been to the FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup with us.
"He is a former (PSL) Player of the Year. We are talking about Teko now, hey! I will support Teko.
"I supported Siyabonga Sangweni and now he is playing at Golden Arrows when his coach said the first time that he wasn't a good player.
"I have supported "Pa" (Siboniso Gaxa) when he was not playing at Sundowns."
Mosimane added: "Am I going to drop MacBeth Sibaya because he didn't play the full match against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions Leagueon Wednesday? I must support all my players."
The Bafana boss admitted Modise need not have the best game when he was booed off the field by Pirates fans in the MTN8 semi-final, first leg.
He said: "Teko didn't play such a good game against Kaizer Chiefs in that first leg, yes, but I believe Teko will make a good contribution en route to 2014.
"I don't believe Teko is a bad player and all of you don't believe he is a bad player either.
"Let's cut out this issue of Teko. He is a very good player and I will support him. He's not missed training at Pirates, even when he was dropped for the match against Kaizer Chiefs... he is a good, good player," concluded Mosimane.
