Swallows skipper Jali not at his best yet, reveals Komphela

Demanding Moroka Swallows coach Steve Komphela reveals skipper Andile Jali is not at his best yet, saying he still needs to improve.

Komphela reunited with Jali at Swallows after the duo left Mamelodi Sundowns and he says the hard-working midfielder is getting there.

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Jali is one of the key and most seasoned players at Dobsonville Stadium-based Swallows, Komphela is now pinning his hopes as he looks to stabilise the team.

In a recent post-match interview following a 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs, the former Bafana Bafana defender says ‘AJ’ is showing an improvement.

SWALLOWS SKIPPER JALI NOT AT HIS BEST, KOMPHELA REVEALS

The eloquent former Free State Stars coach, Komphela adds that the Matietiele-born star hasn’t reached his top shape.

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This comes after Jali missed a lot of action in the previous campaign after parting ways with the reigning league champions, Sundowns.

“The only thing that we have worked on is that he should get top shape, he’s not in top shape yet. But he’s better than the Andile we started with at the beginning of the season,” said Komphela per FarPOST.

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“Which is why you see how he plays in terms of brains, the guy has got another level of thinking.

“Andile is Andile, anyone who would wish to define him, otherwise now even if I was to start thinking of how can I break Andile down in terms of explanation. I will just be repeating what we all know.”

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For the first time since leaving Sundowns and joining Swallows, Jali is expected to meet his former club, Orlando Pirates next month.

The Dube Birds will travel to Orlando Stadium for their DStv Premiership tie against the Buccaneers on Tuesday, December 05.

KOMPHELA ON HIS SKIPPER’S LEADERSHIP QUALITY

In addition, Komphela heaped praise on Jali’s natural talent and leadership qualities which help Swallows to improve.

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“You don’t teach a lion to hunt, you don’t teach a crocodile to bite. It’s just the instinct of a crocodile to be monstrous,” adds Komphela.

“There are certain things that he does and we learn from him. You can never teach a player to pass the ball.

“How do you tell a player to pass the ball, that’s not a play station. The guy always makes the right decision all the time.”

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