‘Postman’ hopes to book a ticket to Europe
Aubrey Modiba has mastered the art of being at the right place at the right time, which is appropriate for a left-back with the nickname “Postman”.
|||Johannesburg - Aubrey Modiba has mastered the art of being at the right place at the right time, which is appropriate for a left-back with the nickname “Postman”.
He always delivers – and on time – with his accurate crosses for Mpumalanga Black Aces, which has seen him return to the national fold as part of the South African Under-23 side. The SA U23s are currently in Brazil to play the Olympic hosts early Monday morning, South African time.
When things weren’t going his way, Modiba, pictured, took it upon himself to change his circumstances. The Nedbank Cup Ke Yona Team Search offered the School of Excellence graduate that opportunity.
Shakes Mashaba and Owen da Gama were scouts at the tournament, with Mashaba still in charge of the SA U20s.
Mashaba selected Modiba, who went on to play in the U20 African Youth Championship in Senegal last year. And when Da Gama took over the U23 side he, too, picked the 20-year-old.
“I didn’t get that much exposure when I was at the School of Excellence,” Modiba said. “I went to the Team Search to change that and being coached by the Bafana Bafana coach Mashaba, who was coaching the U20s by then, helped me grow. It meant a lot to me that he recognised my talent.
“My dream has always been to play in the PSL as soon as possible. That’s why I went to the Team Search because I saw what it did to the players who played against Kaizer Chiefs in 2013.
“I didn’t sleep the day before the trials because I was thinking what if I don’t make it, because there are thousands of people that tried their luck.”
Modiba earned a professional deal with Black Aces, where has found himself under the guidance of Muhsin Ertugral. “Muhsin wants the best out of us and he likes youngsters who work hard,” Modiba said. “I did that and he recognised it. He believes in me.
“When he first came to the club, every time I made a mistake I would look at him and he would be shouting at me. I would be out of the game because of that. But now I am used to it. I know what he wants.”
Modiba is rumoured to have attracted interest from English Premier League side Arsenal. He is also fighting to be a part of the SA U23 side who will play in the Olympics.
“Playing in the Olympics is my short-term goal because there will be scouts there and who knows, that could be my ticket to Europe,” he said.
Saturday Star