Sidelined Andile Jali awaiting Mamelodi Sundowns’ decision
"Andile Jali is not at training at the moment."
As head coach Rulani Mokwena put his Mamleodi Sundwons troops through their paces in the relentless heat in Chloorkop on Thursday, Andile Jali was nowhere to be seen.
Sundowns are preparing for an important CAF Champions League group stage encounter against Al Ahly, and the club’s former captain Andile Jali is not part of the squad.
It is hardly surprising, though, as the former Bafana Bafana international, Jali, along with Sipho Mbule reportedly arrived at Sundowns’ Chloorkop training base intoxicated a fortnight ago.
However, with Sipho Mbule recently reintroduced into the Sundowns squad, featuring in the 1-1 stalemate against Stellensboch last weekend, it was presumed Jali would also return to the Tshwane giants’ camp.
Mbule, in his first season at Sundowns appeared to be in a jubilant state, doing various drills yesterday in training with the rest of the team.
ANDILE JALI BACK AT SUNDOWNS TRAINING
While addressing Jali’s disciplinary issues in the past, Mokwena, who was not in the mood during the presser on Thursday, had stated that he won’t air Sundowns players’ dirty laundry, insisting that he is duty-bound to protect the club and his players.
FARPost reached out to Jali’s agent Mike Makaab, and the latter said that they are waiting for Sundowns to make a decision.
“Andile Jali is not at training at the moment,” Makaab, who had initially said Jali is back at training as per reports told FARPost.
“He [Jali] might return to the club soon, but the decision will be taken by the club,” added the agent.
The Brazlians will have to make quick decisions about the future of Jali as the 32-year-old is in the last few months of his contract at the club.
As reported by this publication, contract negotiations have been long-drawn and it remains unclear whether Bafana Ba Style will extend Jali’s stay.
With Jali absent, Sundowns will take on Al Ahly in a Champions League Group B clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, 11 March. Kickoff is set for 15:00.
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