Ex-Orlando Pirates captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has drawn a comparison of Itumeleng Khune and Happy Jele, singling them out as two players that have demonstrated loyalty to their clubs.
Khune has been at Kaizer Chiefs since the age of 12, while Jele was at Pirates for 16 years.
However, Thulani Hlatshwayo believes his former centre-back partner, Jele, has achieved what most footballers in the country can only dream of.
The 35-year-old Jele recently parted ways with the Buccaneers after with over 400 appearances under his belt.
‘Tyson’, as Hlatshwayo is affectionately known, recently left the Buccaneers after two years at the club. He has paid tribute to the Middelburg-born defender, describing him as a true leader who showed his guidance during their time at the Soweto giants.
The former Bafana skipper was addressing the media in Polokwane on Wednesday. “Obviously, I am talking as an outsider because that is history now. I am looking into the future. For me, I think he has served the team so well, and I have said it before that I don’t think there is anyone that will surface what he has done in one team,” said Hlatshwayo.
“He has been a one-team man. Even though Itumeleng (Khune) is still at Chiefs, you know what Happy (Jele) has done under all the leadership he played with. Your Lucky Lekgwathi, (Siyabonga) Sangweni and everyone.
“I witnessed it whenever he was around, and also for me, when I got there in my first game as a captain, he would guide me. There were no grudges or anything, he just made sure that I feel comfortable around the team, and I know a lot of players have been disappointed, especially the youngsters in the team,” he added.
“It’s sad to see Happy leaving the way he was at Orlando Pirates. Obviously, the name loyalty will be mentioned a lot. I know what kind of player he is; he is a competitor. I hear that he was offered a job, but we don’t know what kind of role he was going to play, but unfortunately, Happy still wanted to play.”
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