Jele is still 'happy & # 39; at Orlando Pirates

Happy Jele has been to Orlando Pirates so long that some of his teammates were not even in school when he got his start 12 years ago, but he does not like to be called "Grootman" (Big Man).

Lyle Foster was only four years old when Micho Sredojevic, in his first stint, gave Jele his team debut at Pirates in 2006.

Since then, Jele has gone from being an upstart to a leader, a multiple-cup winner and finalist of the Caf Champions League and the Caf Confederation Cup.

The 31-year-old was just beginning when Sredojevic led the Buccaneers to the semifinals of the 2006 Champions League.

"I've spent a lot of time here but do not call me not like that (Grootman), "said Jele.

"The coach (Sredojevic) went and came back and he found me again here.There are many different things with him.They say with more years, the more you grow up as a person, he grew up in football, he teaches us a lot, he and Rhulani (Mokwena) did great things for the team. "

The Serbian coach directed the flipping of Buccaneers from chumps to potential champions.

The pirates started slowly last season but once the players understood what Sredojevic wanted they shot all the cylinders and challenged Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premiership.

The pirates finally finished five points behind Sundowns to claim second place and return to the Champions League for the first time since the final lost in 2013.

Jele and Sredojevic have unfinished business with Pirates in this tournament. The Serb could only take the Soweto giants in the semifinals, while Jele was in the stands when they lost to Al-Ahly in the final.

"It was sad because I wanted to play that final that day but I could not because of the suspension," Jele said.

"I wish I could help the team, I think the guys did their best on that day and they were just lucky not to win the trophy."

"We go there and we have to fight again. Orlando Pirates is a great team and deserves to be in the Champions League. We must continue and try to be in the final again. Reaching the Champions League final was the highlight of my career, as was the triumph of these back-to-back triumphs. "

Jele has only won one trophy since the seasons 2010/11 and 2011/12 .It is the 2014 Nedbank Cup under Vladimir Vermezovic

There is a big effort to end this long wait for silverware by building on last season's brilliant performance.

The Middelburg guy would like to end the drought to repay the faith the club has shown in. Last week, he received the award from Irvin Khoza's president at the awards ceremony of the club

Khoza praised the longevity of Jele at Pirates and his leadership qualities that carry him to wear the armband

.a team that long.I am blessed.I do not have many words for that, "said Jele.

"Playing for a big team in South Africa for 12 years is huge, I have not even thought of retiring, I just want to continue paying off this team for everything that they have made for me

"They were there for me despite all my hard times, they helped me a lot so they deserve more trophies thanks to my efforts."

@NJABULON

Sunday Independent

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