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Club legend urges Pirates to snap up Jali

A club legend has urged Orlando Pirates to snap up free agent Andile Jali following the midfielder's exit from defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Brazilians announced at the end of May that the club had officially parted ways with Jali after turning down the option to renew his contract, which expires at the end of June.

For Jali, the writing had been on the wall for months prior to the announcement with the player no longer training with the Chloorkop-based club, fueling reports of a fall-out.

READ | OFFICIAL: Sundowns and Jali part ways

Despite a less than ceremonious exit from Sundowns, Pirates' retired midfielder Shakes Gwabeni believes Jali's experience is far too valuable to pass on.

"I would take him (Jali) for the experience," Gwabeni told KickOff.

"I know Pirates has a solid team but you don't get the type of experience Jali has. He knows how to win. He's won trophies and Pirates is going to Africa (CAF Champions League) next season, they need players that have been there and done it.

Like I said, Pirates have a good team but if two players get injured in that midfield, you are in trouble. He (Jali) was Midfielder of the Season a year ago, how do people say he is too old? so without question I would take Jali.

'Gattuso' is one of the most decorated players in South African football. He was part of the double-treble winning Orlando Pirates between 2010 and 2012 and would later repeat the feat with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Jali left the Buccaneers for Belgium outfit KV Oostende in 2014 and returned to join Sundowns in 2018, winning seven league titles among other silverware.

While his next stop is yet to be revealed, KickOff understands that the Matatiele-born midfielder has already turned down an offer from African giants Wydad in favour of a local stay with more options on his table.

The Buccaneers have a recent history of recalling their former players, a list that includes Ndumiso Mabena and Kermit Erasmus.

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