Happy Jele closes in on Williams Okpara record for most Orlando Pirates starts

Okpara started 375 games for Pirates through the 13 years that he spent registered as a player at Pirates after arriving from Nigeria in 1993.

Currently standing at 367 starts, Jele is in line to wipe off Okpara's name this season and engrave his own as the new king on the throne.

The 34-year-old has only ever played for Pirates since making his debut as a lanky teenager against Maritzburg United on September 20, 2006. 

He has now clocked 15 years in the first-team growing into an influential figure who doubles up as the club's all-weather man blessed with a firefighter's spirit, so much that he has even played in goal when the situation demanded.

10. Oupa Manyisa made his Pirates debut aged 20 years and 1 month against Golden Arrows on 30 August 2008

9. Happy Jele made his Pirates debut aged 19 years 8 months and 19 days against Maritzburg United on 20 September 2006

8. Tlou Segolela made his debut aged 19 years 5 months and 16 days against Moroka Swallows on 15 August 2007

7. Excellent Walaza made his debut aged 19 years 5 months and 12 days against Maritzburg United on 20 September 2006

6. Siphumelele Mbulu made his debut aged 19 years 4 months and 11 days against Free State Stars on 14 May 2018

5. Andile Jali made his debut aged 19 years 3 months and 30 days against Ajax Cape Town on 09 August 2009

4. Thabiso Monyane made his debut aged 19 years 3 months and 4 days against Bloem Celtic on 3 August 2019

3. Senzo Meyiwa made his debut aged 19 years 1 month and 15 days against AmaZulu on 8 November 2006

2. Lyle Foster made his debut aged 17 years and 12 days against Maritzburg United on 15 September 2017

1. Augustine Mahlonoko made his Pirates debut aged 16 years 11 months and 18 days against Highlands Park on 4 August 2018

Through his stay at Pirates, Jele has earned undisputed legendary status having won two league titles, lifted the Nedbank Cup twice, one Telkom Knockout, three MTN8 titles and has runners-up medals for both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. 

He has given his heart and soul to the Sea Robbers, never flashy nor fancy, but just goes about his duties in a simple way either at right-back or in central defence.

For the past decade he scored at least one goal per season and his goal count is at 16.

With 14 league games plus the Nedbank Cup and Confederation Cup still left to play for this term, Jele is expected to surpass Okpara's total.

Jele has started all of Pirates' last seven games.

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