Pirates loanee Baloni shares insights from Andile Jali’s mentorship

Orlando Pirates loanee Siphelo Baloni has opened up on the mentorship he’s received from veteran midfielder Andile Jali at Chippa United.

Baloni moved to the Chilli Boys on loan ahead of the start of the current season, returning to his native Eastern Cape. He’ll spend the remainder of the campaign there before returning to the Buccaneers, his parent club.

Coincidentally, Jali also signed for Chippa, just like Baloni, making a return to his home province.

Baloni, who had long admired Jali from afar, admitted that the respect he holds for the former Bafana Bafana star made it difficult to approach him directly from the onset.

He reveals that from the talks they have had, the 34-year-old reassured him that he still had ample time to make his mark in the game and urged him to remain the way he is.

SIPHELO BALONI – ‘IT’S AN INSPIRATION TO SHARE DRESSING ROOM WITH JALI’

“You know it’s not easy to talk to someone when you’re new [at the club] but you know that it’s him,” said Baloni during the interview with FARPost.

“Sometimes, you hear his interviews and you can see he’s a great person and a good human being.

“There’s an interview he made where he said in football you must be patient. So, the time I came, I was happy that I would play with a legend like him.

“Someone who played overseas and played for Orlando Pirates. He played for big clubs in South Africa during his prime.

“To me, it’s an inspiration to share a dressing room and one badge.

“So, he once spoke to me that I still have years and I’m young. And he said, ‘When I look at you I see another person but I won’t tell you who’.

“So, he said I must remain the original Sphe and play the football I know. Sometimes as a player, you need such conversation with people who’ve seen it all when it comes to a football journey.”

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