Andile Jali not in the best shape to be on the pitch

Andile Jali not in the best shape to be on the pitch – Junior Khanye

‘He was playing for a big team just like me when I left Kaizer Chiefs going to Platinum Stars,’ Khanye on Andile Jali’s drop in form.

Junior Khanye on Andile Jali. Image: X

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has criticised Andile Jali’s fitness following Chippa United‘s 3-0 defeat to Amakhosi.

The Glamour Boys were dominant in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 fixture, beating the Chilli Boys 3-0 on Saturday evening.

“I don’t understand why they brought in Andile Jali. I love him but he is not in the best shape to be playing now. You can see he is not match fit, I love Andile Jali but he is not ready,” Khanye told iDiski TV.

The former Orlando Pirates midfielder featured for Chippa against Chiefs but failed to make an impact. Since leaving Downs, the 34-year-old ex-Bafana Bafana star has struggled to regain his form.

“Andile has been through a lot,” Khanye on Andile Jali’s fitness.

“Andile has more or less been through what I have been through he had bad scandals. I think that’s probably why he left Sundowns. I mean his reputation suffered. He was playing for a big team just like me when I left Kaizer Chiefs going to Platinum Stars.

“You want to do more because at the back of your mind you have that thing that I have hurt people who love me and somehow also ruined my career, too many frustrations. He is going through a lot.”

Khanye said Andile Jali needed to get a personal trainer to lose weight and be match fit. His coach Thabo Spetember said his midfielder was part of his plans and helping the young players.

“For AJ, he’s playing his part in terms of the team and what we wanted him to do,” he told the media.

“He’s helping the young players to grow. We are introducing the likes of Giovanni [Philander] and Papama [Tyongwana]. We are introducing other boys, like Boy Madingwane. So, he’s helping us in that regard.”

Junior Khanye weighs on Andile Jali’s fitness

“On the field, he still has a big part to play. He had had a muscle strain two to three weeks back. So, he’s coming back from that, but as soon as he’s back into top shape, he’s a key part of the team.”