Junior Khanye believes Mamelodi Sundowns need the services of Andile Jali, if they want to win the CAF Champions League this season.
Sundowns had already qualified for the knockout stage with two games to spare and Khanye referenced the 1-1 draw away at Al Hilal where he felt Jali’s experience was needed for the Brazilians.
Jali, though, has stopped training with the South African champions, as confirmed by his agent, after reports in February that alleged the midfielder and Sipho Mbule arrived at training under the influence of alcohol.
But while Mbule has been back in the team, there is no sign of Jali, who is also understood to be stuck in contract talks with the club.
However, Khanye believes Sundowns were lucky to leave Sudan with a point, insisting that coach Rulani Mokwena needs the former Orlando Pirates man if he wants continental glory.
“Sundowns needed Jali and now Rulani must think ahead. Not that I support what Jali did and Sundowns are good but in this tournament one mistake you will get punished,” Khanye said on iDiski TV.
“You need Andile Jali because this is another level, you need experience. There was a lapse in concentration against Al Hilal so Sundowns needs experience.
“In games like that one Jali would have come in and bullied the midfield. Yes [Teboho] Mokoena is talented, a young South African diamond, he is 24, he has room for improvement and he is still going to play more matches. Al Hilal is still going to Cairo and they are struggling at home and I think Al Ahly will win that match.
“If you want to win this tournament you need Jali. Sundowns is still going to face Al Ahly in the knockouts [should they qualify] and they need Jali.
“Yes, Sundowns scored five [vs Al Ahly] but the knockouts are going to be a different ball game. They might even meet in the final and we don’t even know where that final will be hosted but it will be a different ball game.
“So put in Andile Jali now, even in the DStv Premiership so that he gets his fitness back. Then you can have both him and Mokoena play together in this tournament.
“Jali can play box-to-box, while the boy plays number 6 to simplify things.”
– Advertisement –
You can watch Khanye’s full analysis of the match on iDiski TV official YouTube channel.
