Chippa United midfielder Andile Jali has been the subject of speculation in the past few weeks, and his future will be decided at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The highly-rated midfielder has been a notable absentee from Chippa’s matchday squad due to persistent injuries, among other things.
Jali joined the Chilli Boys as a free agent ahead of the current Betway Premiership season after parting ways with the now-defunct Maroka Swallows.
Before his short stint with Swallows, the 35-year-old was in the colours of Mamelodi Sundowns, where he spent five seasons.
In his first season with Chippa, Jali has featured in 13 appearances across all competitions and scored two goals, including netting a cracking goal against his former club Orlando Pirates.
The midfield workhorse last featured for Chippa in their 2-0 win over Cape Town City FC in the league on the 18th of February.
Meanwhile, Jali signed a one-year contract with an option to extend for another year when he joined the Gqeberha-based outfit in July 2024.
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR ANDILE JALI AT CHIPPA UNITED
With the season ending in the coming weeks, a source close to the situation has revealed that Chippa United is not going to extend Jali’s contract.
“Andile Jali has done it all in football. When he joined Chippa United at the start of the season, it was more about enjoying football,” a source said.
“The problem now is that he hasn’t played that much for the club, so I think that’s what will decide his future. Chippa is unlikely to take the option on Jali’s contract, and he could go out the exit door. Another thing is that there are retirement talks for the player.
“As I said, this is a player who has done it all. At the age of 35, retirement is a big topic now, so the next few weeks will be interesting.”
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