Kaizer Chiefs have began talks with former Orlando Pirates and current Mamelodi Sundowns legend Andile Jali according to reports.
The midfielder is tipped to leave the Brazilians when his contract comes to an end at the end of the season.
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Jali, a local soccer superstar in his own right, has struggled for game-time at the Brazilians this season.
Last season’s ‘midfielder of the season’ has made just eight league starts for the Brazilians this season.
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Worryingly for Andile Jali is the fact that he was an un-used substitute in 11 matches thus far this season!
According to the latest transfer reports, Kaizer Chiefs have opened talks with Andile Jali but one of his demands may prove to be a stumbling block in a potential deal!
Jali wants to don his iconic 15 Jersey at Chiefs, the same number which was retired in honour of the legendary Doctor Khumalo by the Glamour Boys!
Jali wore the ‘number 15’ at all of his previous clubs. This includes Pretoria University, Orlando Pirates KV Oostende and currently Mamelodi Sundowns!
Andile Jali’s big demand to Kaizer Chiefs revealed?
“Phakaaathi has been tipped off that Jali is not against the idea of joining Chiefs, but would want to use his favourite squad number, 15, which he dons at Sundowns.” a Citizen report read.
“For some it might seem as just a squad number, but these kinds of things have sentimental value for players.” a source told the publication.
“If Kaizer Chiefs are serious about Jali, they will have to bend over backwards for him and give him the No 15 jersey. Otherwise they can forget about having him in their team.”
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In other news, Kaizer Chiefs captain and long-standing goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has opened up on the club’s dire situation.
The Glamour Boys last won a trophy in 2015, and are seriously running the risk of losing their ‘big club’ status in South Africa.
Khune, who enjoyed much success at the Glamour Boys prior to 2015, has given an honest opinion on the crisis the club finds itself in.
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Khune opens up on trophy drought
“We accept as players that we’ve disappointed the fans. We have disappointed the Chairman.” the Kaizer Chiefs captain said as quoted by KickOff.
“And we’ve disappointed everyone who has been supporting the club for the past seven years, we haven’t won any silverware.
“We feel bad to be representing the club [without winning silverware]. Having been here for so long, I’m not used to that as well. Since I was promoted in 2004, I’ve been winning trophies.
“The fact that for the past seven years I haven’t won any [trophies], I feel I don’t belong to the badge.
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“That I don’t belong to the club, because Kaizer Chiefs is not a club that goes years without winning any silverware.
“We need to pull up our socks as players and change the situation. We can’t accept what has been happening in the past seven years and it needs to change. It starts with us the players, we are responsible.”
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