{{short description|South African soccer player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Use South African English|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Pule Mmodi | image = | fullname = Pule Sydney Mmodi | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|2|23|df=y}} | birth_place = Theunissen, South Africa | height = 1.70 m | position = Midfielder/winger | currentclub = Kaizer Chiefs | clubnumber = 13 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2018–2020 | clubs1 = Uthongathi | caps1 = 57 | goals1 = 7 | years2 = 2020–2023 | clubs2 = Lamontville Golden Arrows | caps2 = 55 | goals2 = 16 | years3 = 2023– | clubs3 = Kaizer Chiefs | caps3 = 55 | goals3 = 4 | nationalyears1 = 2022– | nationalteam1 = South Africa | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 4 January 2026 | ntupdate = 31 March 2024 }}

'''Pule Mmodi''' (born 23 February 1993) is a South African soccer player who plays as a winger for Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League.<ref>{{soccerway|pule-sydney-mmodi/565622}}</ref>

He signed for Uthongathi in 2018 as a part of a large influx of new players.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/uthongathi-fc-signs-new-players-20180805|date=9 August 2018|title=Uthongathi FC signs new players|author=Sithole, Andile|publisher=News 24|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> While he played for Uthongathi, it was reported that Doctor Khumalo scouted him for Kaizer Chiefs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/uthongathi-star-attracts-chiefs-interest/|title=Uthongathi star attracts Chiefs interest|date=20 February 2020|publisher=The Citizen|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> He was instead picked up by Lamontville Golden Arrows for the belated start of the 2020-21 South African Premier Division. The club described him as a "very tricky, quick and skillful attacking midfielder".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/motsepe-golden-arrows-announce-signing-of-former-highlands-park-defender/cedd8lak3ekk1wz9taz2181s8|title=Motsepe: Golden Arrows announce signing of former Highlands Park defender|date=3 October 2020|author=Ngcatshe, Phumzile|publisher=Goal|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>

Mmodi's first callup to the South African national team was hampered by his not having a passport, as he had never imagined he would travel outside South Africa.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/sport/i-will-make-sure-i-have-a-passport-20211002|title= Pule Mmodi: ‘I will make sure I have a passport’|date=3 October 2021|author=Motshwane, Gomolemo|publisher=City Press|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> He later received more call-ups, and played two friendly matches in 2022 and one in 2023.<ref name=nft>{{NFT player|88743}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/new-faces-in-the-bafana-squad/|title=New Faces In The Bafana Squad|date=15 September 2022|author=Delport, Rob|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> Making his first-tier debut at the age of 27 and impressing in 2021&ndash;22, he was also called a "late bloomer".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/local/seema-warns-more-to-come-from-mmodi/|work=iDiski Times|title=Seema Warns More To Come From Mmodi|author=Kohler, Lorenz|date=20 March 2022|access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref>

In September 2022, before the closing of the summer transfer window, Mmodi was nearing a transfer to Kaizer Chiefs. It fell through because Chiefs would not meet the Arrows' asking price.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/arrows-gives-chiefs-first-option-on-mmodi|title=Chiefs get first option on Mmodi|date=26 June 2022|author=|publisher=SABC Sport|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/mmodi-opens-up-on-failed-chiefs-move/|title=Mmodi Opens Up On Failed Chiefs Move|date=18 September 2022|author=Madlala, Robin-Duke|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> The Arrows' manager commented him for remaining dedicated to the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/arrows-coach-addresses-mmodis-chiefs-transfer/|title=Arrows Coach Addresses Mmodi’s Chiefs Transfer|date=30 July 2023|author=Kganyago, Lethabo|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>

However, Mmodi's contract would expire in the summer of 2023. AmaZulu voiced their interest in the player.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/mmodi-wanted-by-amazulu/|title=Mmodi Wanted By AmaZulu|date=17 December 2022|author=Madlala, Robin-Duke|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> Rumours ensued about a swap deal with Kaizer Chiefs during the winter transfer window.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/pirates-to-hijack-mmodi/|title=Pirates To Hijack Mmodi Deal?|date=4 January 2023|author=Makonco, Sinethemba|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> The transfer to Kaizer Chiefs finally took place in the summer of 2023. Mmodi attracted attention for changing his player agent on the same day his contract with Golden Arrows had expired and he signed for Kaizer Chiefs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/sport/soccer/2023-06-28-mmodi-bypasses-agent-signs-for-chiefs/|title= Mmodi bypasses agent, signs for Chiefs|author=Khoza, Neville|publisher=Business Live|date=28 June 2023|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/agent-threatens-sue-kaizer-chiefs-mmodi-after-taking-him-for-a-fool-in-new-deal/blte3e2ff5b87964788|title=Agent threatens to sue Kaizer Chiefs new boy Mmodi after 'taking him for a fool' in new deal|author=Willis, Seth|publisher=7 July 2023|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>

In his home debut, he also scored his first goal. <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/ntseki-hails-mmodi-quality-after-amazulu-display/|title=Ntseki Hails Mmodi Quality After AmaZulu Display|author=Kohler, Lorenz|date=26 August 2023|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Kaizer Chiefs F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mmodi, Pule}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:People from Masilonyana Local Municipality Category:South African men's soccer players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Uthongathi F.C. players Category:Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C. players Category:Kaizer Chiefs F.C. players Category:National First Division players Category:South African Premier Division players Category:South Africa men's international soccer players Category:21st-century South African sportsmen