In November 2007, ‘Sheppy' suffered a horrific leg-break playing for Mamelodi Sundowns in a challenge with James Matola of Free State Stars and was sidelined for 10 months before playing again. Jele will be out for six to nine months after damaging his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, and tore the meniscus, in his knee against Bidvest Wits at the weekend. Sheppard says Jele has to be extremely patient during the recovery process. "What Happy needs to do is take it week by week not day by day. If you go day by day, you don't really see much improvement," he says. So what should a player in Jele's situation do while on the sidelines in preparation to return to action in six to nine months, Sheppy? "It is not so much the physical part, it is the mental part. The physical side will always be alright, but it is the mental side that will be the biggest problem. I think a broken bone is a little bit better than what he's got. When it comes to ligaments, that can take a little bit longer so he has to stay strong and surround himself with positive people. Also, patience will be key," Sheppard adds. The former Bafana Bafana midfielder adds that it is not all doom and gloom for Jele, who has rarely missed a match for Pirates. "It is a very serious injury. I cringed when I saw it, hey. To be honest with you, I don't want to see it again. It is a very bad injury. But he's got Benson Mhlongo there who was out for two years with the same injury. Benson will help him through it, but Happy must also surround himself with positive people. I'm sure he's got a good work ethic and I'm sure Pirates will look after him," Sheppard concludes.
