PSL news: Andile Jali looks to be headed for Chiefs

Bafana Bafana midfielder, Andile Jali is, in all likelihood, set to make a return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for the upcoming season, but one detail that has raised the most speculation is where his new home will be.

The highly-rated former Orlando Pirates captain has spent the second half of the 2017/18 season nursing injury – with the latter stages of that period spent without a club – as he recently cut ties with Belgian outfit KV Oostende, a club he joined from the Soweto giants in 2014.

Despite limited game time in Belgium, the 28-year-old remained an integral part of the national team, and his free agent status has seen some of the big guns in the PSL clamour for his signature, including the Buccaneers.

Is Jali on his way to Kaizer Chiefs?

Having been vocal about his love for his former side during his unhappy spell at Oostende, reports now suggest he may be quite close to doing the unthinkable, and trading black for the gold of Pirates’ fierce rivals, Kaizer Chiefs.

According to a report by IOL, the front-runners for his signature have been narrowed down to two clubs, with the Buccaneers, Supersport United and Bidvest Wits falling out of the race, leaving Chiefs and league champions, Mamelodi Sundowns to slug it out for his services.

Jali’s agent Mike Makaab told the publication that the player is close to making a decision on his future, and we could know by the weekend which club he is headed for.

“The truth of the matter it is that there are two clubs interested in Andile. Both of them are good offers, career-wise and financially, if you consider that we are in South Africa,” Makaab said.

“In the next 48 to 72 hours, Andile will make the decision. Our objective is to ensure that Andile finds a new club before the end of the month.”

Another source quoted by the publication is more direct about the player’s next club, touting Naturena as the destination.

“I won’t be surprised if Andile Jali signs for Kaizer Chiefs. You must read between the lines,” the unnamed source said.

Should he make the move to Naturena, he will not be the first player ex-Buccaneer to turn out for the club’s fiercest rivals.

Several players have made the move across enemy lines, with Chiefs owner, Kaizer Motaung perhaps setting the precedent, as he formed the club in 1970, after achieving “legend” status at Pirates.

Other notable players to have made the move include former Bafana striker, Pollen Ndlanya and former defender, Jimmy Tau, while the likes of Marks Maponyane, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Jabu Mahlangu and the late Phumlani Mkhize made a move the opposite direction.

Also read: It’s not him: Bafana Bafana’s Andile Jali forced to deny drink-driving rumour