In this edition of My Welcome to the League Moment, former Orlando Pirates striker Reason Chiloane shares how the legendary Teko Modise saved him from his financial embarrassment when he arrived at the club.
"Imagine arriving at this big team called Orlando Pirates with nothing in your pockets," Chiloane tells KickOff.
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"I joined Pirates in 2008 after being signed from an NFD club, Garankuwa United. I had signed a pre-contract in December while leading the goalscorer's chart with 10 goals.
"The biggest challenge at Pirates was fear; I felt intimidated by the players I used to watch on TV, my new teammates
"In that team, Teko was a hot property during that period. It was hard for me to accept that I was now a teammate of my idol, Teko Modise. I was star-struck, and it took time to digest what was happening in my everyday life.
"When I arrived at Pirates, I was facing a challenge. My previous club, Garankuwa United, hadn't paid me my salary for June.
"Pirates put me in a fully furnished flat, but I had no money to buy food and toiletries. One day, I decided to be brave and explained my situation to Teko.
"I told Teko everything about my lack of money, and he said, 'Okay, let's talk tomorrow.'
"The following day, after training, despite his intimidating presence, I approached him again. Teko gave me money that day to buy groceries.
"That moment helped me settle at Pirates and realize that I was now part of the big boys. Imagine a superstar like Teko giving me money to buy groceries for a month!
"After that, Teko and I became friends, and every goal celebration he did in a match he was taught by me."