Jele Update After Injury Vs Chiefs

There are good news for Royal AM’s camp as veteran defender Happy Jele’s injury that saw him being stretchered off against Kaizer Chiefs is not as bad as first feared.

According to iDiski Times sources, Jele will return before the end of the week to training and will play some part in the closing season with four games to go.

However, he will not play when Royal AM host Cape Town City at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday (15:00). 

Jele was taken off against Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at Chatsworth Stadium almost two weeks ago, when he seemingly pulled a muscle when trying to clear the danger.

The former Orlando Pirates captain suffered what, according to sources, is a quad muscle and was replaced in just 22 minutes in the game played, with Samuel Manganyi taking over his place.

Manganyi’s instantly made an impact for Royal AM, scoring the opening goal for John Maduka’s side, but the KwaZulu-Natal club were dumped out of the Ke Yona Cup, losing 2-1 after extra-time.

It was clear that Jele’s services and experience were missed in defence as he had started well.

It meant Royal AM ended their unblemished record at home against Chiefs, who they had defeated twice at Chatsworth Stadium since club boss Shauwn Mkhize bought the status of Bloemfontein Celtic at the beginning of last season.     

This was only Jele’s second start this season for Royal AM, having joined them in the January transfer window after leaving Orlando Pirates at the end of the last season.    

Because of this injury, Jele missed the 1-1 draw away with TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium last weekend, which came at the cost as they dropped to ninth in the league table with 33 points after 26 matches.