Cape Town – In the wake of the Thamsanqa Gabuza incident, Teko Modise has asked South African fans to be more supportive of Absa Premiership players.
Gabuza provided an assist for a Black Leopards own goal in Orlando Pirates' 2-1 win on Tuesday.
He then threw his jersey towards the Bucs supporters and subsequently walked off the pitch and down the tunnel, seemingly in protest at those fans who have been on his case for missing chances in front of goal.
Cape Town City midfielder Modise, who previously played for SuperSport, Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, has also had to deal with booing fans over the years.
"It's something that if you overlook, it's going to be a big problem," the 35-year-old Modise told the Sowetan.
"I don't condone what he [Gabuza] did, but I understand how it feels, because I was once in that position.
"Not every player is strong to sustain those kind of things and keep going. It's not easy at all," he said.
In closing, Modise voiced his admiration for Gabuza's unselfish team work.
"I'll die to have Gabuza as my teammate today, because of the stuff that he does on the pitch. He's selfless. Let's start a new culture in South Africa and let's be supportive."
