CAPE TOWN – Will Andile Jali return to South African club football?
That is the question that the former Bafana Bafana midfielder will ponder over the next few days and weeks after his Belgian club KV Oostende announced on Friday that the 28-year-old will leave the side by mutual consent.
Oostende said that Jali “leaves with immediate effect to his native South Africa”, which could mean that he will play for a local club going forward.
READ MORE: Financial package most important as Jali seeks new club
Jali joined Oostende in 2014 from Orlando Pirates and spent four-and-a-half years at the club, but the side said in a statement on Friday that he had sustained a knee injury a few weeks ago that has effectively ended his season.
Now, with the South African campaign virtually at a close, Jali will have a chance to have a proper pre-season with his new club.
It is believed that Mamelodi Sundowns are the favourites to capture Jali’s signature, while Kaizer Chiefs and former club Pirates are also believed to be in the mix.
IOL Sport reported recently that Jali’s agent, Mike Makaab, said that “all the top sides in South Africa are interested” in the player.
“We haven’t had any official talks with any one at this stage. But Jali is not getting any younger. He is a family man now. We have to make sure the club that signs him is one that is going to give him a good financial package,” Makaab said.
“Longevity is very key at this stage of his career. It will depend on what is on the table.”
Jali has also earned 43 Bafana Bafana caps.
Thank you @kvoostende, the staff and my teammates for everything they give me when I was @kvoostende thank you so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻👊🙌🏻💚❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/Aqrywjj9LV
— aj15jali (@andilejali870) April 20, 2018
@ashfakmohamed