AmaZulu are understood to be looking at Andile Jali as replacement for departed club captain Makhehlene Makhaula.
Usuthu agreed to a January deal with Pirates for the Makhaula after the player had initially agreed to join them on a free transfer when his contract expires in June.
But on Tuesday, Pirates confirmed that they agreed to a January deal with Usuthu. The Durban-based side, in return, are believed to be looking at Jali as his replacement – with talk behind the scenes even indicating they looked at signing him on Deadline Day but time clearly running out.
Meanwhile, AmaZulu coach Romain Folz remained coy on Jali when he was asked if he would be interested in having Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder.
“He is a good player, but I’m happy with the squad I have,” said Folz after his side drew with Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
“I’m always open to good players, but that is about it.”
Jali will be out of contract at Sundowns in July and iDiski Times sources have confirmed that the player might not be retained at the end of the current campaign.
The former Orlando Pirates midfielder’s contract with Sundowns will expire in June, even though Sundowns hold all the cards to extend the deal, with Jali widely seen as their best player during their treble-winning 2021/22 campaign.
But he has dropped out of the Sundowns starting XI recently, with coach Rulani Mokwena seemingly preferring other options despite his continuous praise of Jali in front of the media.
His impasse with Sundowns has gone back and forth and AmaZulu have been bandied to be interested in him, which its director Mfundo Zungu telling iDiski Times that he would love to have him, even though he’s not involved in the technical first team decisions at the club.
Jali’s agent, Mike Makaab recently stated on Gagasi FM that Sundowns need to make a decision on whether they want to continue with Jali, insisting his client will not be short of options should they opt against renewing his current deal.
