THE BREAKDOWN: Where Should Jali Go?
Which Big 3 Club Should Jali Join?
Andile Jali will reportedly be allowed to leave his club for just R6.4 million and could be making a return to Mzansi, but, if he does, where would his ideal destination be?
In Soccer Laduma issue number 1030, the Siya crew reported that Jali’s current employers, KV Oostende, are reportedly open to selling the player that they bought for a reported R15 million in 2014 at a cut-price after he fell down the club’s pecking order last season.
As a former Orlando Pirates player, the player reportedly sees the Buccaneers as his first option, should he make the trip back home. However, Pitso Mosimane is also known to be a keen admirer of his and it is a possibility that the Bafana Bafana international could be open to a move to the reigning African champions. So, how does Jali compare to his counterparts in the middle of the park at either club?
There’s two ways of looking at a potential scenario that would see Jali join either club. How Jali would compare or work with Oupa Manyisa or Hlompho Kekana, or which team is most in need of a defensive midfielder. Jali had solid stats in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League last season, where he both averaged and won more tackles than the other two players, also winning more balls per 90 minutes. On the ball, Kekana averaged more touches and passes per 90, while Manyisa had the best passing accuracy.
If you’re looking to suggest a team who need to improve their entire defensive unit, it’s Pirates. Sundowns’ defensive unit was one of the best in the PSL, conceding just 20 goals and 10.7 shots per match (second lowest in the PSL behind Wits). Manyisa needs a defensive partner alongside him – winning just 8.0 balls per 90 and attempting 1.75 tackles per 90.
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Considering this, it is painstakingly apparent that Jali is needed more at Pirates and, to add something more, he could re-establish the winning combination that he did with Oupa Manyisa during his first spell at Pirates. However, he has also formed a combination with Hlompho Kekana in the Bafana setup and he would have a better chance of finding success with the Brazilians, who won three trophies in 2016, while Pirates haven’t lifted any major silverware in three years.
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