SUNDOWNS POISED TO WHEEL OUT THEIR NEW BIG GUN

“The hardest part about my time in Belgium was staying alone - busy calling my family on the phone every time,” Jali told reporters. “It’s great being back home because I go to my kids after training. I see my kids and I play with them. It’s great to be able to be a physically present dad and do things with them.”

He says his Belgian experience has changed him for the better and that he is ready to be a leader on the field for Sundowns.

“There are many things that have changed about me as a player because when I went to Belgium, I was still young at the time. I am now better at assessing the situation.

“The coach can give instructions, but there are some moments where you have to make a decision in a split second. I am a smarter player now." And he insists that he still has the hunger to lift trophies and has not returned home to just pick up a pay cheque for the next few years. “I came to a team with ambition, a team that wants to win everything they participate in because I also want to win everything.” Born in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, Jali rose to prominence with second-tier side University of Pretoria, who he helped to the Nedbank Cup final in 2009 when they lost to Moroka Swallows. That won him a move to Orlando Pirates and he enjoyed a trophy-laden four-plus years with the Buccaneers that included two domestic league titles and a run to the final of the 2013 African Champions League, in which they were beaten by Al Ahly.

celebrate, we've been working all season and now it's time to celebrate this summer." expect to win the game."