Towards the back end of January, Tafic’s star striker, Modise Modipe was rewarded for his red-hot form on the pitch with a new and improved two-year contract.
The deal would extend the 28-year-old front-man’s time at Matjimenyenga until June 2025 – a real show of faith from the club’s hierarchy and the sort of security that is hard to come by for local players, especially in the lower leagues.
Although injury meant he missed the final few games of last season, Modipe finished the campaign as Tafic’s top scorer, firing the Reds to the First Division title and securing their return to the Premier League in the process.
However, already on shaky ground, the honeymoon period ended in ugly fashion last month when Tafic’s prized asset was accused of taking part in a tournament over the long Presidential Holidays.
It seems harsh words were exchanged, with neither party willing to back down; Tafic reportedly demanding an apology while Modipe adamant he has nothing to apologize for.
“The Chairman called me angry and told me I should go find another team, firing me on rumours that I participated in the President Holiday tournament where I stay, in Monarch,” the fiery forward told Voice Sport in an exclusive interview.
While it’s not the first time the goal-poacher has been in trouble for participating in social soccer events, receiving a warning for playing in a similar Easter competition, where he reportedly got injured, this time Modipe maintains his innocence.
“It’s not true, I never played,” he insists.
With Tafic returning for pre-season training two weeks ago, Modipe has been banished to the sidelines until the saga is sorted.
He fears for his future and is adamant the club want him out.
“I am currently sat at home not training, which is very stressful for me. I was told I’m suspended and will be called when my matter is resolved with the Disciplinary Committee, which I feel they might chase me away,” predicts the frustrated forward, who only signed for Tafic at the start of last season, joining from Monarch-based Mexican Dogs.
“If the team does not need me anymore, they should just let me go,” says Modipe, adding he suspects this might happen after the transfer window closes [22 September] which would prevent him from joining another club.
Reluctant to say much more, the striker told Voice Sport he was contemplating the legal route.
“I can’t tell you anything else, as I’m now planning to involve lawyers to help me with this matter,” he concluded briskly.
Meanwhile, Tafic Chairman, Tumelo Toteng, stressed Modipe was still a Tafic player but confirmed he was currently suspended.
“I did not fire Modipe; all I can tell you is that he is undergoing disciplinary hearing for reasons I cannot disclose to you since they are internal,” was all that Toteng was prepared to say.
With hundreds of spectators attending the Presidential tournament in Monarch over the holidays, it shouldn’t be too hard to prove whether Modipe played or not.
However, when Voice Sport tried to do just that, we were met with hearsay and rumours but nothing concrete.
“I heard he played one game in the early part of the tournament at Ntshe before he was reported to management. He definitely wasn’t at the finals,” said one source, adding, “Others did the same, they apologized and were forgiven.”