Former Pirates captain Jele taking steps to prepare for life after football

Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has taken his first step to prepare for life after football as he is currently attending the CAF C Licence coaching course conducted by SAFA Ekurhuleni Region.

The 35-year-old defender parted ways with the Buccaneers at the end of the previous campaign following the end of his contract.

The experienced centre-back, Jele, rejected the non-playing role he was offered by Pirates, expressing his intentions to continue playing.

Since then, he has been a free agent and has so long seized an opportunity to pave his way to a coaching career.

Initially, his enrolment in a coaching course prompted questions about whether he was quitting being a footballer, but his agent Jazzman Mahlakgane has insisted that his client is yet to hang boots.

Mahlakgane also revealed that they are holding talks with a club he didn’t mention to secure a contract for Jele.

MAHLAKGANE GIVES UPDATE ON HAPPY JELE’S FUTURE 

“He’s just doing it for now because he couldn’t sit and do nothing,” Mahlakgane told FARPost.

“It doesn’t mean anything [in terms of his playing career], but it will be interesting in the future.

“We’re still talking to some people [regarding a contract] for a year or two,” he added. 

Other notable names among those attending the course are Vincent Kobola, Thela Ngobeni, Musa Nyatama, Morgan Mammila, Manqoba Ngwenya and Bernard Parker.

KOBOLA HAPPY WITH PLAYERS TAKING PART IN COACHING COURSE

Kobola, who is currently a Baroka FC head coach, says he was pleased to see players taking part in the course as it would elevate the standard of football in the country.

“It’s been a great week so far. I was encouraged to see even active players doing the course, which is a good sign,” Kobola told FARPost.

“We need qualified coaches in our football, and it’s always a plus when you have people that have played the game equipping themselves. It’s a nice experience,” he added.

RELATED STORY: Why Happy Jele was the heart and soul of Orlando Pirates