The Mamelodi Sundowns midfield maestro will begin the last six months of his contract at the club from the new year, and Downs head coach Rulani Mokwena has given indications that he has no intention of letting go of the former Orlando Pirates star.
Jali was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over the Buccaneers in the DStv Premiership, and Mokwena said Masandawan’s followers would have preferred to have Jali on the pitch, but he added some value when he sat in the dugout.
“Jali is a very important player for us and he is important for the future of this club,” said Mokwena.
“He has exceptional leadership qualities and he is very important. He has the right mentality, the vision [are great].
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“I use him as a fourth assistant coach because when he sits on the bench, he gives a lot of information about what he sees. He has incredible experience and no human qualities – that’s what we love at the club,” he said.
Jali’s agent, Mike Makaab squashed rumors about Jali’s potential exit at the club, as suggestions have been linked to a move to Kaizer Chiefs as a replacement for Njabulo Blom, who recently joined the Major Soccer League club Saint Louis City. So far, Makaab says there have been no offers for the 32-year-old and Mokwena says everything is now in the hands of Sundowns management.
“Contractual and financial matters are being handled in different departments at the club and I am sure that if there is an update that will be given, the club will issue it,” said Mokwena.
Meanwhile, Mokwena has put Brazil in a healthy position in the DStv Premiership to win their first title as sole head coach. He very well portrayed himself as the least important man at Sundowns.
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“This football club does not choose a coach for the short term. We have seen in the last few years that the coach always has the support of the club and without the support of the management, the success of any coach in this football club is not possible.
“The most important thing is to understand that it will take more than myself to be successful because the club is bigger than all of us,” Mokwena said.