Orlando Pirates latest | Happy Jele breaks silence on his future

Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has finally spoken about his future at the club as the expiry of his current contract edges closer.

Jele’s contract is set to expire on 30 June, and there has been no indication as to whether or not his services will be retained by Pirates.

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The 34-year-old has been with Pirates for 15 years now having joined them in 2006 from amateur side Walter Stars.

And while his future appears to be hanging by a thread given his age, Jele said the final decision will be made by the management.

However, Jele said he will stay at Bucs if he’s offered a new deal, adding that he’s definitely hoping to stay beyond the current season.

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“I have been with this team for quite some time, and obviously the decision has to come from the management,” Jele told reporters.

“If they want me to remain at the club, I’ll do that. But I’m hoping that I’ll stay,” concluded Jele.

Jele is one game away from breaking Williams Okpara’s long-standing record for most starts in a Pirates jersey.

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Okpara made 375 starts during his time with Pirates while Jele is currently sitting on 374 starts for the Buccaneers.

And it remains to be seen if the Witbank-born defender will recover in time from the hip injury he’s nursing to become the club’s record holder for most starts in top-flight football.

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