Cape Town - Recently-retired Teko Modise has labelled Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane as 'the next big thing' in South African football.
Zwane has been nominated alongside team-mate Hlompho Kekana and Orlando Pirates forward Thembinkosi Lorch for the Absa Premiershp Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the season.
And Modise rates 'Mshishi' so highly that he believes he is the best player to come out of the country since Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana great Doctor Khumalo.
"Zwane does not get the praise he deserves because many do not realise what he is actually doing in Africa‚ in the league and with the national team‚" Modise told SowetanLive.
"No other player is contributing the way he is.
"Maybe it is because he doesn’t step on the ball‚ or juggle the ball‚ that people don’t appreciate him as much but I think he is the best player I’ve seen in South Africa after Doctor Khumalo.
"He knows how to play. He’s my Footballer of the Year and he’s the next big thing."