Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has confirmed that Andile Jali will travel to Polokwane to face Baroka in their Telkom Knockout quarter-final on Saturday. DEAN WORKMAN reports.
Jali starred for Masandawana in their 1-0 win over Chippa United, winning the Man of the Match award in the process.
The performance had Mosimane stating that the former Orlando Pirates midfielder was getting back to his best.
Jali, however, then made headlines for all the wrong reasons after he spent the night in jail for his involvement in an alleged domestic violence incident.
READ: Sundowns star Jali released on bail after arrest
Jali was granted bail and now faces charges of assault relating to domestic violence and damage to property. The incident, which reportedly involved his wife, took place in the early hours of Monday at his home in Pretoria.
The 28-year-old, in response, laid a charge of assault against his wife, with Boschkop Police Station spokesperson Yeroboam Mbatsane publicising these details.
With the scandal raging on, Jali trained with the Sundowns squad during an open session for the media.
Mosimane was the asked whether the midfielder will travel with the squad.
‘Was he travelling last week?’ Mosimane asked.
‘Yes,’ was the response from the media in attendance.
‘No change,’ said the former Bafana Bafana coach while nodding his head.
READ: Sundowns midfielder opens up a case of assault against his wife
Mosimane was later asked about Jali’s improvement since his arrival at the beginning of the season.
‘Let’s just avoid the other stuff and stay on the football side,’ said Mosimane, talking about the drama that occurred.
‘He’s unbelievable – works hard. You can see the body shape, he has lost weight.
‘Here at Sundowns, we make sure you lose the weight which we think is excessive.
‘He has been professional, he hasn’t missed one training session. He works hard, and he helps [Hlompho] Kekana in the midfield. He has been getting into the box all the time, he’s box-to-box, he passes well, his confidence is up.
‘[He’s] ready for Bafana,’ concluded Mosimane.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
