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Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy does not think they can replace a player like Teko Modise, who retired from football at the end of the season last week.
The 36-year-old Modise played his final professional game as the Citizens lost 1-0 to Black Leopards on the final day of the season.
McCarthy, who was a teammate of Modise in the Bafana Bafana team, coached the mercurial midfielder for the last two seasons at City and paid a glowing tribute to the former Sundowns and Orlando Pirates player.
The Citizens' mentor said in quotes published on Kickoff: "Very proud legacy," he said.
"He is one of the most decorated players that we have in the game and I think what he has achieved, what he has done and what he has brought to this country.
"I think we have to applaud and we have to make some kind of homage for players like that because they don't come around easy.
"When we have them we don't appreciate them, so yeah hopefully what 'Dona' has achieved inspires a lot of young players on how to live your life, how to be a gentleman and a good ambassador for the sport and great role model for the kids.
"He will surely be missed and I don't think we are ever going to replace a Teko Modise again because that talent you don't find in modern day football anymore.
"That was talent in abundance, but hard work like you've never seen before. Clean lifestyle like you've never seen before.
"Discipline, sacrifice, players of today have got mountains to climb to possess those kinds of qualities that I just mentioned.
"Modise can be proud and his family should be extremely proud for what he has achieved.
"I hope he does not go too far away from the game. He is one of the most knowledgeable players you can get."
Cape Town City have announced that they will have a testimonial match for Modise but no dates or opponents have been confirmed as yet.
