Former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojević has paid tribute to club captain Happy Jele, declaring him a legend after his 400th appearance for the Soweto giants this past weekend.
Jele surpassed legendary goalkeeper William Okpara as the most-capped player in the history of the club after making his 400th appearance in their win over Soweto rivals Swallows FC.
The 36-year-old defender is one of the club’s longest-serving players and has spent his entire 15-year career as a professional player at the Buccaneers.
Sredojević expressed his joy at Jele reaching such a milestone and believes he can make 500 appearances, having handed Jele his Pirates debut 15 years ago as a 19-year-old.
“How time flies, back in 2006 gave first chance to, at that time, a boy, Happy Jele. Now, 15 years [later], he became a man, completing 400 matches in holy Orlando Pirates jersey. Already a legend but I trust [and] believe that with his maturity, magic number 500 is not very far. Congrats [and] safe journey,” Sredojević posted on his official Twitter page.
How time flies time back in 2006 gave 1st chance to that time,,boy,,
HAPPY JELE now 15years after he became,,man,,completing 400 matches in Holy ORLANDO PIRATES jersey.Already LEGEND but i trust&believe that with his maturity magic number 500 is not very far CONGRATS&SAFE JOURNEY pic.twitter.com/Y8gn4i4kCb— MICHOcoach-WOLF OF SERBIA (@michocoach) September 14, 2021
