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)
Orlando Pirates legend Jele was spotted at an amateur club, but WHY?
Mr. Jele was recently spotted in Pretoria.
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)
Former Orlando Pirates stalwart Happy Jele has NOT signed for amateur outfit AT Mambas, contrary to popular belief and several rumours. But what was he doing there?
Jele plays an exhibition match in Pretoria
37-year-old Happy Jele, a veteran of over 400 matches in an Orlando Pirates jersey, has been without a club for nine months. The two-time former DStv Premiership champion left Royal AM in June 2023 and has been unattached ever since. SoccerLaduma has clarified why Jele was in action for AT Mambas.
“It was more like an exhibition match. You know Happy is a loved figure in South African football, so it was a lovely surprise for the supporters of Mambas to see a legend represent their team. The funny thing is that this guy can still play at the highest level which wad evident in the match,” the source said.
SALENG IS BACK IN THE MIX FOR PIRATES
Saleng scored a brace against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby and followed it up with a goal in the Sea Robbers’ 4-0 win over Hungry Lions, which sealed their place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals. However, Junior Khanye believes Saleng’s decision-making needs some work. The 26-year-old Bafana man has made just 13 league appearances this term. After being out of favour, the talented left-footed is very much back in the mix. Khanye remains unconvinced though.
“I think Saleng needs to learn one thing that if he is played the ball, especially in the last third where he has teammates, he can’t just turn and shoot,” said Khanye on IDiski TV.
“You cannot just take someone on from far. You are not going to beat every goalkeeper from distance and score. Just make the right decision I’m referring to the first half there was 3 vs 2, 2 vs 3, 4 vs 2.
“If that guy made proper decisions I’m sure Pirates was going to lead because they could counter that team. I mean you are playing against kids, you don’t need to prove anything, just pass your teammate, let them score and go celebrate at the corner.
“[But] he wanted to be a hero in the first half. The decisions he made in the first half limited Pirates to score at least two goals.
“Yes he scored a good goal but he was fortunate because he lost his balance. He could have laid that ball for Mabasa to score.
“But we won’t judge him he did well because the ball went in but other than that he almost lost balance. He almost repeated what he did in the first half.”
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