ALL Portia Modise wants is to own a house.
And her life could take a turn for the better if she wins the sports star of the year award at Sunday night's 2014 SA Sports Awards.
The glittering ceremony at the Sandton Convention Centre will be broadcast live on TV.
The accolade brings with it a R1-million cheque that the Banyana Banyana star striker could use.
Modise, 31, moved from Soweto where she was born to live with her grandmother in Mohlakeng, Randfontein. They share the pensioner's modest house with Modise's partner and son.
She uses taxis to get around and attend interviews.
Modise, who recently reached the milestone of being the only South African soccer player to score 100 goals in national colours, said she had nothing to show for her success - at least not financially.
Speaking of her nomination, Modise said winning would enable her to fulfil her dream.
"It's always been my dream to buy a house and that's the first thing I would do. If I ever decided to hang up my boots at least I know I would have fulfilled my dream," Modise said.
The only woman in the category, she is up against stars such as swimmer Chad le Clos, long jumper Khotso Mokoena and cricketer AB de Villiers.
Modise said she had hit some lows in her life.
"You know you're struggling when you can't even afford toiletries," she told Sowetan yesterday as she anticipated the big night.
Modise said she could not afford to rent her own place.
"I'm struggling, the little money that I have now is not enough to take care of my family. I have to spend it carefully," she said.
She has found comfort in playing football and said she realised that she goes to work for the love of the game as the money is dismal.
"You can't say you have a decent job playing soccer. There is no money.
"I feel sad that I play for the national team and I don't have money. People say I misuse my money but I wish I had money to misuse," she said.
The financially strapped player said she had always struggled to make ends meet and relied on the charity of friends for financial support.
"I'm living my life like a person who works [as a cashier at a supermarket]. When I'm short of money I have to turn to my friends for help," Modise said.
"It's Christmas time and people are buying their families presents and I can't afford to buy my family presents. I wish I could provide them with presents."
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Portia living from hand to mouth
ALL Portia Modise wants is to own a house.
And her life could take a turn for the better if she wins the sports star of the year award at Sunday night's 2014 SA Sports Awards.
The glittering ceremony at the Sandton Convention Centre will be broadcast live on TV.
The accolade brings with it a R1-million cheque that the Banyana Banyana star striker could use.
Modise, 31, moved from Soweto where she was born to live with her grandmother in Mohlakeng, Randfontein. They share the pensioner's modest house with Modise's partner and son.
She uses taxis to get around and attend interviews.
Modise, who recently reached the milestone of being the only South African soccer player to score 100 goals in national colours, said she had nothing to show for her success - at least not financially.
Speaking of her nomination, Modise said winning would enable her to fulfil her dream.
"It's always been my dream to buy a house and that's the first thing I would do. If I ever decided to hang up my boots at least I know I would have fulfilled my dream," Modise said.
The only woman in the category, she is up against stars such as swimmer Chad le Clos, long jumper Khotso Mokoena and cricketer AB de Villiers.
Modise said she had hit some lows in her life.
"You know you're struggling when you can't even afford toiletries," she told Sowetan yesterday as she anticipated the big night.
Modise said she could not afford to rent her own place.
"I'm struggling, the little money that I have now is not enough to take care of my family. I have to spend it carefully," she said.
She has found comfort in playing football and said she realised that she goes to work for the love of the game as the money is dismal.
"You can't say you have a decent job playing soccer. There is no money.
"I feel sad that I play for the national team and I don't have money. People say I misuse my money but I wish I had money to misuse," she said.
The financially strapped player said she had always struggled to make ends meet and relied on the charity of friends for financial support.
"I'm living my life like a person who works [as a cashier at a supermarket]. When I'm short of money I have to turn to my friends for help," Modise said.
"It's Christmas time and people are buying their families presents and I can't afford to buy my family presents. I wish I could provide them with presents."
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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