Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Andile Jali of Moroka Swallows during MTN8 quarterfinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on 12 August 2023 Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Should Andile Jali retire at the end of this season?
Andile Jali has enjoyed a stellar PSL career with the likes of Orlando Pirates and Sundowns. Is it time for him to call it a day though?
Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Andile Jali of Moroka Swallows during MTN8 quarterfinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on 12 August 2023 Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Andile Jali has collected a number of fine accolades during spells with Orlando Pirates and Sundowns. Is his time in the PSL coming to a close though?
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After his dismissal against Sundowns in the MTN8 quarter-finals at the weekend, Andile Jali looks like a shadow of his former self. He was Last Man Standing in that competition in 2021 and has won it on three occasions. He’s also a seven-time DStv Premiership champion. Add all of those accolades to his 49 Bafana Bafana caps, and this was an elite operator at his peak. In the present, though, he’s battling to knit it all together, struggling with form and fluency.
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It’s now widely known that Andile Jali courted one or two controversies at the back-end of his Sundowns career. Notably, he and former teammate Sipho Mbule allegedly reported to training under the influence of alcohol. Footballers are human beings and make mistakes, after all, but that was an unnecessary and avoidable ending to an otherwise outstanding and trophy-laden spell with the Brazilians.
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Jali wasn’t happy with the unceremonious way he was removed from the Sundowns WhatsApp group chat. To add spice to it all, he was dismissed for Swallows in the Dube Birds’ 1-0 defeat to The Brazilians. It was truly an afternoon to forget for the 33-year-old midfield general. Because of the red card, he’ll now serve a suspension so early in his Swallows career.
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Is it time for one of South Africa’s finest midfielders to call it a day at the end of the 2023-24 campaign? Will he bow out as a PSL legend?
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game of football.
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