JALI THROUGH THE YEARS

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA (2007-09)

He arrives as a 17-year-old from Matatiele after being spotted at the Coca-Cola Football Stars but was daring enough to fight for a starting place right away, climbing up to 14 appearances in his first season.

Then as AmaTuks reached the final of the Nedbank Cup in his second season it became obvious that he would leave.

ORLANDO PIRATES (2009-14)

That he made 26 appearances in his first season playing under Rudi Krol and won four Bafana Bafana caps provides the evidence about the nerve in him. He could and should have made it into the World Cup squad as the youngest player had it not been for a health scare related to his heart.

He didn’t despair and grew his value, playing over 100 games for Pirates and featuring as a key member in the ‘Double Treble’ years. As he continued to earn caps it again became obvious that Europe was calling, and he did leave in January 2014.

KV OOSTENDE (2014-18)

He joined the Belgians halfway midway into their first season in the top division and stayed on for just over four years. His contribution was never in doubt as he also played in over 100 games, including appearances in the Europa League qualifiers. With the Oostende a modest club merely satisfied to stay up he grew homesick and with young kids in South Africa decided to pack up and return.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (2018 to present) He struggled to make an impact upon his return but once he had his groove back there was no doubting his qualities.

His influence is evident whenever he plays and the beauty is that he has been a league champion in all his years at Chloorkop, while lifting all other trophies on the domestic scene from the MTN8, to the Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup.