Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says that, in terms of game-time, he understands why Teko Modise decided to depart for Cape Town City.
Modise joined the Citizens ahead of the current season after six successful and trophy-laden seasons with the Brazilians.
The 34-year-old has since claimed, via his recently released autobiography, that he left Sundowns due to a breakdown in his relationship with Mosimane.
Mosimane, however, is preferring to focus on the positives Modise brought to his team and he says that if the former Bafana Bafana maestro had stayed, he would have been well looked after.
But he also admitted it was becoming increasingly tough to find a place in his starting XI for 'The Navigator'.
"I saw the goals he scored, the passes he made, he is a legend - a very good footballer and talent," he told TimesLive.
"I am happy that I was part of his story with him from the beginning to the end and it is a good story. He will tell you that I never said he must go and I never said his contract must not be renewed.
"I always told you in the media that as long as he was at Sundowns, he will remain like Surprise Moriri or any other legend of the club. He opted to go. He wanted game time and he was right because he was not playing here and why must he stick around?
"It was very difficult for him because Tiyani Mabunda has got quick and strong legs. Hlompho Kekana is still in the space and I play two in midfield. So, it was a little bit of a difficult situation. He was right to go and play elsewhere," Mosimane concluded.
Modise could be set to face his former employers when Cape Town City clash with Sundowns in a league match on Tuesday night in Pretoria.