Jali is not closer to a deal as we thought. Image: iDiski Times
REPORT: Jali’s exit from Sundowns confirmed [update]
As widely expected, it’s reported that Andile Jali and Mamelodi Sundowns will officially part ways at the end of the season.
Jali is not closer to a deal as we thought. Image: iDiski Times
*Note: this is an updated article on Andile Jali
For quite some time, there have been whispers and rumours surrounding the future of Andile Jali at Mamelodi Sundowns, but most recently it’s become an open secret that he will be leaving the club.
After more than 100 games at the club, he is not expected to feature for Sundowns again, and it remains to be seen whether Pirates or Chiefs could view him as a target.
According to popular online platform Unplayable, there is now confirmation that Jali’s time at the club will conclude when his contract concludes at the end of June.
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Earlier this week, the veteran aready suggested that he’s headed to an unknown destination in a cryptic post that caught the attention of eagle-eyed followers.
Taking to Instagram this week, he posted an image of his boarding pass out of Johannesburg. Although the destination was cryptically blurred out under the caption “I’m out”, it’s thought that the flight was heading to Durban.
There was no word on what the trip could be for, but followers will certainly be wondering if this could be an indication of his next career move.
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Earlier this year it was even sensationally reported that Chiefs were about to open talks with Jali, but that quietened down in the wake of reports that the 33-year-old has been guilty of ill-discipline as he seemingly grew increasingly frustrated at the club.
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His agent Mike Makaab has previously suggested that talks are ongoing and sensitive, while in the most recent update, he told FARPost that the playmaker will begin to consider his options once matters are finalised with Sundowns in the near future.
Would Chiefs or Pirates be interested in Jali?
With his exit all but assured, it was interesting to note that Chiefs and Pirates were mentioned as possible alternative destinations. Here is what has been outlined by Makaab when it comes to what is effectively an exit plan, with Jali said to no longer be training with Sundowns as his contract winds down to its official end in June.
“We have not engaged with any club formally regarding Andile Jali’s services. AJ and I have both agreed that once we have finalised the situation at Mamelodi Sundowns and Andile has settled that chapter of his life, we will then be looking at opportunities,” Makaab told FARPost.
“Of course, we will talk to teams that are interested, and those teams may include Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. But it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gonna be restricted to those two teams in South Africa. But again, we don’t want to have any formal discussions until we have finalised the arrangement with Mamelodi Sundowns. We have to show respect to the football club that has his contract,” added Makaab.
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In terms of a timeline, it seems that the month of May is when negotiations for Jali’s next opportunity will begin to escalate.
“That has to happen sooner than later,” Makaab commented. “I am confident that it’ll happen within the next week, or maximum two, so that during the month of May, we will be in a position to start seriously engaging clubs regarding his services for the next season.”
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SUNDOWNS HAVE NOT WANTED TO WADE INTO ‘POLLUTED WATERS’
Towards the end of February, Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena made it clear that clarity will be provided when the timing is right.
“I don’t want to get too much into that space because it’s quite polluted with – as you said – ‘he said, she said’ type of stuff,” Mokwena said when asked for the latest information by SABC Sport at the end of February. “So, I’d rather not comment on it because I have spoken extensively about it already in the past and to avoid being misquoted…I’d rather not comment on the situation.
“I think the club will give a directive and an announcement and a response in due course, at the right time when the club deems it necessary,” Mokwena concluded.
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