Andile Jali Sundowns Kaizer Chiefs Orlando Pirates

Jali is not closer to a deal as we thought. Image: iDiski Times

Do Kaizer Chiefs fans actually want the club to sign Andile Jali?

Kaizer Chiefs target Andile Jali has enjoyed a stellar career, but he’s surely past his best. Do the fans even want Amakhosi to sign him?

Andile Jali Sundowns Kaizer Chiefs Orlando Pirates

Jali is not closer to a deal as we thought. Image: iDiski Times

Andile Jali is being linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs almost on a daily basis now, but do the fans even really want him?

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Jali has an enviable CV, however

Andile Jali has enjoyed a a career that most players could only dream of and envy from afar. He spent four years in Belgium with Oostende when he was at the peak of his powers. In South Afirca, he’s won 12 major honours across stints with PSL giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. You can name local players who are more decorated on one hand only.

Jali has won 49 caps for Bafana Bafana too. A player who has achieved have achieved all of this is no joke. At 32, however, he’s reaching the twilight years of his career. He’s not finished by any means, but Jali’s influence on big matches is starting to diminish. His astounding individual performances for Sundowns in 2021-22 felt like a swansong.

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Kaizer Chiefs need youngsters for a rebuild

Jali turns 33 next month. Not only is he not getting younger, he’s not getting any better at this point. This is quite normal for footballers at the elite level. It might be time for him to try out a different league, or a PSL club with less pressure and not so much of the spotlight and media fishbowl environment. Hey, maybe he can even enjoy the final few years of what has been a superb career.

Andile ‘Gattuso’ Jali has earned the right to do that at the very least.

kaizer chiefs andile jali
Saturday will see the 177th meeting between Kaizer Chiefs and their Soweto neighbours Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium. Photo: Samuel Shivambu – BackpagePix

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For more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game, hit up James Freemantle.

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