Opinion: With Jali in their nest, the Birds can only aim for the sky.

From having Steve Komphela as their head coach, to changing their name to the original Moroka Swallows, and now Andile Jali's signing, the Birds are in serious business of getting their nest in order. 

Having found themselves flying close the ground, the relegation zone that is, for the past two seasons, it seems like Swallows management have decided enough is enough, it is time to aim for the sky. 

Komphela and Jali can be just the wind that the Birds needed beneath their wings in order to fly higher. 

Jali, most importantly, can be the catalyst in the Swallows revival. 

His presence in the team, coupled with his experience and leadership skills can rub off positively to the less experienced Swallows players. 

Add to that the fact that AJ is still one of the best defensive midfielders in the country, and you can just imagine the impact he may have at Swallows. 

But that will depend on which AJ shows up at the Birds. 

Will it be an AJ who is determined and committed to the course of taking Swallows back to the top where it once belonged amongst the likes of their Soweto rivals like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer chiefs? 

A Jali who is still willing to give 100% on the field of play any given Sunday? 

Because if Swallows are getting that AJ, they might just have won the lottery, because that AJ is a beast in midfield. 

What would be sad is if Swallows have signed an AJ who is going there just to wind down his playing career, preparing for his retirement while earning a salary. 

That is not an Andile Jali the Birds would like to have in their nest, trust me. 

Hopefully, it is the former rather than the latter that they have signed, an AJ who will be the glue that keeps the Swallows wings intact as they take to the sky. 

Makaab confirms Jali's Sundowns exit.

    

• All good things come to an end, and so is Andile Jali's journey with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Jali's agent, Mike Makaab, has ended months of speculation by confirming that the midfielder is leaving Sundowns after the two parties, Prosport international and the club agreed on a mutual termination which will be done during the course of the week.

Jali joined Sundowns in 2018, enjoying much success with the club having won five league titles.

The 2021/22 season was probably Jali's best season at Sundowns, with him playing an integral role in their treble winning team.

It was in the season that has just ended where Jali's Sundowns career turned on its head.

He was relegated to the bench, only managing a few cameo appearances, especially after Rulani Mokwena took over the head coaching reigns.

The final straw came when Jali allegedly arrived at Chloorkop under the influence of alcohol, which was followed by him stopping to train with the club.

"We are in the process of finalising a mutual termination, which will be done during the course of this week. He will leave on a positive and amicable basis," Makaab told SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/confirmed-andile-jali-leaving-mamelodi-sundowns

"An official statement will come from the club, but when a “new coach” comes in to the building…he has his own thoughts and ideas, and we have to respect that and so does AJ," he added.

As recent as last week when Sundowns were booted out of the CAF Champions League by Wydad AC, many Downs fans felt that Jali could have made a huge difference in helping the team maintain their lead.

That's how influential the player has been to that Sundowns midfield.

Makaab says the club appreciates Jali for his services, and so does the player for the way he was welcomed.

But one thing for sure, he won't appreciate the way his exit was handled, having last played for the club in February.

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"I know that Sundowns are very appreciative of the value that Andile has brought to the club and he is too of the way he was welcomed. He wore the captain’s armband, which is one of the great achievements. There’s absolutely nothing else other than purely technical reasons."

Although Makaab did not give much away in terms of Jali's next move, it is no secret that the midfielder, whom Maakab says is the best number six in the country, has many admirers.

Kaizer Chiefs, who have battled to fill the void left by Njabulo Blom in the midfield, is rumoured to be one of them.

"We are trying to finalise the issue with Sundowns out of respect for both parties. He wants to play, he believes he’s got two more years at least. He was outstanding last year and good in the first few months of this season – but things can change. We will have to play it by ear now.

"Then we have to get him ready for pre-season. He’s got a personal trainer at the moment and he is very motivated for the next chapter. I still believe, and this is my opinion, that he is the best No.6 in the land."