Renowned football agent Mike Makaab has revealed that industrious midfielder Andile Jali signed for Chippa United because he wanted to retire in his home province of the Eastern Cape.
Jali, 34, penned a one-year contract, with an option to further extend, with the Chilli Boys on Thursday after spending some time in the football wilderness following his exit from Moroka Swallows in December 2023 for alleged outstanding payments.
Makaab also admitted that this could be the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns captain’s last football playing contract.
“Yes, I think it is,” Makaab said on Gagasi FM.
“‘AJ’ and myself had a long discussion as to whether he wanted to continue or not. And to be honest with you, he was undecided.
“And then I got this phone call from the Chairman Chippa. I call him Chairman. And the chairman and I had a long discussion and asked me what Andile [Jali]’s appetite was to continue playing.
“I said, if it’s the right project, and it’s the right environment for him, he could continue.
“But Andile’s given me his word that he will only make the decision if he’s 100% committed to playing the game again. Because he doesn’t want to be remembered as somebody that basically played football for the sake of playing the game. You know he wants to be influential.
“And I think the deciding factor, was the fact that, we all know that he is a Matatile boy. They call him the Mayor of Matatiele.
“So he’s from the Eastern Cape, and what better way to end your career than at a team whose home is in your province of birth.
“So, it made a lot of sense. There was a lot of emotion around it. ‘AJ’ was super keen when I told him who it was.
“We had two or three clubs that were interested, but this was the one club that really found the right cord in his heart.
“And it wasn’t difficult hey. From the moment he had made up his mind to the moment we signed the documents and it was probably 10 days in total.
“So, we’re just super excited. It’s a one-year contract, with a one-year option. And that’s the way both parties wanted it.
“It’s important that if Chippa exercises the option, it’s because Andile has contributed meaningfully to the football club. But, for me, it’s super exciting.”
The Gqeberha-based outfit has also snapped up Giovanni Philander who was on the books of Western Cape ABC Motsepe League side FN Rangers.
