Chippa United’s marquee signing Andile Jali should be good to go in midweek when they meet Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership in Polokwane, even if he has had to be taken off in their opening two games of the season.
The 34-year-old Jali went off at halftime of their opening game of the season last Wednesday, after netting a wonder strike against his old club Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium.
On Saturday, as Chippa won their first point of the campaign in a 1-0 triumph over Richards Bay, Jali went off in the second half.
“Andile felt that his legs couldn't go anymore. So it's not an injury,” said coach Kwanele Kopo.
“This time, he felt his legs couldn't go anymore, and he asked to come out. He's really a true, true professional, you know. Against Pirates, he felt his hamstring. He came to tell us. So we really have a good synergy with him, good communication with him, even on the bench.
“The last substitution against Richards Bay was actually made by Andile, because we were ready to put on (Aphelele) Teto. And he stopped me, and he says, ‘let's lock the left-hand side with (Malebogo) Modise, it's five minutes to go’. So he's doing well for the team,” said Kopo.
“Andile plays a massive role in this team. You can see from his aura on the field. You can see his confidence on the ball. You can see his arrogance to make us play. You can see his guidance on the young Thabang (Molaoa) at centre back. He controls the team. Yes, he’s not 100 per cent fit yet, but he's clocked 60 minutes. We are happy for that.
“On Wednesday, he clocked 45 minutes, so we do have to manage him, but he's a very, very important cog in the way we want to play, not only from a playing perspective but also from a guidance and a communication perspective. I said previously he's the coach on the field,” the Chippa coach added.