Quarter of a century not out for Jele
Buccaneers skipper about to make his 25th appearance in a derby against Chiefs
ORLANDO Pirates captain Happy Jele is the longest serving player in this current Bucanneers side and will be the most experienced player in the Soweto Derby on Saturday when they face Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in an Absa Premiership showdown (3.30pm).
Jele joined Pirates as a starlet back in 2006 from Walter Stars in the Vodacom League (now known as the ABC Motsepe League).
He has seen it all with the Sea Robbers, from having to wait for a while to earn his first piece of silverware, to winning double trebles, and from almost quitting football because of a career threatened injury, to donning the captain’s armband.
Jele has made 24 derby appearance since making his debut. On Saturday, he will be making his 25th start for Pirates in the derby.
He holds the record for the most Soweto Derby matches by a Pirates player. Jele recently surpassed Lucky Lekgwathi, who was on 22 derby appearances.
Jele will be tasked the job of marshalling Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro. He knows all about the tricks and antics that come with playing in the derby. His experience for the Buccaneers will be crucial at the back.
Jele is closing in on Itumeleng Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala on the list of the most appearances in the Soweto Derby.
Tshabalala is now at Turkey, where he is plying his trade for Erzurumspor. The legendary leftfooter donned the colours of Amakhosi in the Soweto Derby on 31 occasions.
Jele is seven games away from matching Tshabalala. At the age of 32, Jele, can back himself to break that record.
But before he can think about smashing Shabba’s record, Jele has to first surpass Khune, who is on 27 derby appearances. The Chiefs goalkeeper and captain is out injured for the rest of the season and won’t
RESULTS
Played last night: Mamelodi Sundowns v Black Leopards (late kick-off)
STANDINGS
Wits Pirates Sundowns CT City Celtic Chiefs Polokwane SuperSport Arrows Highlands AmaZulu Leopards Baroka Chippa FS Stars Maritzburg P W D 19 11 4 18 8 8 16 8 7 18 8 6 19 8 4 19 7 6 17 7 6 18 7 5 19 5 9 19 4 10 19 7 5 18 5 5 19 3 8 19 3 7 18 4 4 19 1 8 L GD Pts 4 13 37 2 9 32 1 8 31 4 8 30 7 2 28 6 5 27 4 3 27 6 1 26 5 0 24 5 0 22 7 -2 20 8 -7 20 8 -6 17 9 -8 16 10 -14 16 10 -12 11
feature on Saturday.
Pirates are second on the log with 32 points after 18 games. They are five points behind leaders Bidvest Wits, who have played 19 games.
The Buccaneers have an opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the Clever Boys. They haven’t won the league since 2010/11.
Jele will be hoping to lift the league trophy come the end of the season. He hasn’t raised a trophy since taking over the captaincy from Thabo Matlaba.
Pirates are going through a barren run of trophies. They haven’t won a cup in five years. The last time they won silverware was back in 2014 when they shot down Wits 3-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to triumph in the Nedbank Cup.
The Sea Robbers have missed out on the MTN8, Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup this season. Their only chance of winning a trophy is in the league. They have to boost their morale by winning the derby. Jele will be hoping to cap his 25th derby appearance with a victory.