Moroka Swallows head coach Steve Komphela was waxing lyrical when talking about the improvement of Andile Jali since he joined the club.
Jali, 33, completed 90 minutes for only the second time since his high-profile move from Mamelodi Sundowns to the Birds Nest.
After Swallows drew 0-0 with Chippa United on Wednesday, which saw them climb into third place, Komphela said Jali was equally deserving of the Man of the Match award, which went to Lantshene Phalani.
“Phalani did very well and it could’ve also gone to AJ – this guy cuts balls, first passes, anticipates, leads the team, keeps the team together, works,” he told journalists.
“If I’m not mistaken it’s the second 90 minutes he completes. To be honest, in the beginning of the whole journey, AJ was not at the level where he could compete the whole 90 minutes.
“If you remember Lucas Moripe, he suffered a red card in the fourth minute, and those are all things they come on top of you and I get the spotlight on him…
“But you never tell a dog to bark, a dog will always bark. You ask for a crocodile to bite, a crocodile will always bite. All you need to do is to throw enticing stuff to develop the instinct.
“AJ does not need to be told what to do, he needs to be presented with scenarios what to solve – you sharpen a knife by brushing it a against a sharp stone.
“I hope you understand.”
Swallows currently sit in third place with 14 points from eight games, 10 points behind Komphela’s former side, DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who they will face after the international break.
