Defender Happy Jele insists he’s not ready to hang up his boots and is still searching to a new team. But will he find one … ?Image Source: (@RoyalAM/Instagram)
Jele discusses alcoholism in PSL, says he would return to Pirates
‘Some of us, we drink to finish the bottle,’ says former Orlando Pirates player Happy Jele about some PSL player.
Defender Happy Jele insists he’s not ready to hang up his boots and is still searching to a new team. But will he find one … ?Image Source: (@RoyalAM/Instagram)
South African soccer star Happy Jele has becoming latest player to open up about alcoholism in the Premier Soccer League. According to the former Orlando Pirates captain, Happy Jele, a lot of PSL players struggle with alcoholism and cannot control their drinking.
He compared PSL players to other sports players such as rugby and cricket players who he says don’t drink nearly as much as soccer players. He also opened up about wanting to return to Orlando Pirates.
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Happy Jele talks drinking in the PSL
Over the years, soccer stars — particularly local soccer stars — have built themselves a reputation as lovers of groove culture and splurging their money on extravagant lifestyles.
This has been the downfall for a number of soccer stars who blew all their money without considering investing some of it.
Former Orlando Pirates star Happy Jele recently shared how alcoholism affects PSL players in SA.
“But the important thing is: how do you drink, do you drink at the right time or do you drink at the wrong time? You find a person who has won a Uefa Champions League drinking in the change room and it is normal.
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“It also happens in cricket and rugby, but they know it is maybe the last game of the season or tomorrow it is recovery and they don’t drink to finish the alcohol. They don’t drink to finish the 24 bottles of alcohol that is there.
“They drink a few just to keep company for that time. After that they go home and sleep and tomorrow they go to train or play. Some of us, we drink to finish the bottle, so this is a problem,” he said during an interview on Prime Sports With Mahlatse.
Going back ‘home’
He also said that he would like to return to Orlando Pirates one day.
“I would love to go back and be part of the team, they have done so much for me. I can contribute a lot to the up and coming players by giving and sharing my knowledge to them so they can help the team grow.
“When I left the team, they said to me I can go and finish one or two seasons [of his playing career] and when I am ready I can come back. When I finally hang up my boots I will go back and ask if a position is still available to be part of the club.”
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