‘You can sense the air’: Thabo September on Jali’s influence at Chippa
Chippa United assistant coach Thabo September has revealed how new signing Andile Jali has already impacted the team ahead of the Betway Premiership’s September kick-off.
Jali joined the Chilli Boys this transfer window having been clubless for six months after parting ways with Moroka Swallows in the mid-season.
This is his sixth club in a professional football career having turned out for AmaTuks, Orlando Pirates, KV Oostende and Mamelodi Sundowns.
September says the arrival of Jali has lifted the spirit in the team and believes it will reflect on their game when the league starts in September.
SEPTEMBER ON HOW ANDILE JALI HAS INFLUENCED THE TEAM
“This pre-season already he has lifted up a lot of players,” September told FARPost.
“You can sense the air is different in terms of the vibe in the squad. There’s something that is brewing in the squad.
“Hopefully, it shows up when we start on the 14th. And that’s mostly because of him what he has brought.”
September is confident that Jali, at the age of 34, will outperform many younger players in the upcoming season. He added they brought him not only for the playing role but for “too many things” in the club.
WHY CHIPPA BROUGHT JALI?
“You can feel his impact on and off the field, when he is around, you can feel it. So, that’s why we brought him to the club to help young players,” he added.
“He will play a huge role on the field when he’s 100% fit or 90% fit trust me he will dominate most of the young players in the league.
“That’s what we want and Andile is from the Eastern Cape as well. For a player of his calibre to leave the game before he plays in the Eastern Cape, it would be murder of us not to let the people of this province to enjoy him playing in front of his home fans.
“I still feel he has a lot to offer. So, that’s why we brought him. It’s too many things.
“It’s unlike us bringing a young player and looking what they have in terms of potential. With this one we know what we have.
“We just want him to spread it all around the team on and off the field.”