REVEALED | Why Orlando Pirates legend rejected Irvin Khoza’s offer 

At the start of the season Orlando Pirates took the decision to release their longest serving player in captain Happy Jele.

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Jele had been a prominent feature for Pirates, having spent a fruitful 16-years of his career at the club, which also translates to his entire career thus far. 

Jele and Pirates eventually parted-ways

But the old adage goes, all good things have to come to an end, and it seems like it was no different for the relationship between Jele and Pirates. The veteran centre back started his career at the club as a right back, before making what seemed like a natural and seamless transition to the centre as he became older. 

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As part of the statement from Pirates confirming the departure of Jele, the club confirmed that their chairman Dr Irvin Khoza had reached out to the player in an attempt to keep him within the Buccaneers camp. However, the “Iron Duke” had insisted that he wanted the 35-year-old to remain in a non-playing capacity, and speaking to Marawa Sport Worldwide he finally opened up on the conversation and why he turned down the contract to stay as part of his beloved team.

Why he didn’t sign

“Since I’ve played football, I wanted to reach 37, 38 then I’ll retire from there you know the more I grow the more my body is lighter you know. So I can feel that I can still do more, because I train a lot and when it comes to the field of play, to play an official game, it has become lighter for me because my body responds very well. And I take care of myself so I knew that if I can play the next two years, my body would be fine. I was doing extra work besides Pirates on my own, and to try take care of myself” Jele said. 

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After rumours that Royal AM were interested in him, it has gone quiet for Jele and it remains to be seen if he still has a future in topflight football.