Moroka Swallows coach Steve Komphela has opened up on his relationship with experienced midfielder Andile Jali.
The pair have formed a great friendship that has blossomed over the past few years when Komphela joined Mamelodi Sundowns‘ technical team.
Komphela’s good relationship with the ex-Bafana Bafana international came in handy as it helped Swallows pull off one of the transfer coups of this transfer window by securing the signature of Andile Jali after he cut ties with Sundowns.
‘AJ’, as he’s popularly known within the football circles, has featured in five games across all competitions for Swallows this season.
KOMPHELA SPEAKS ON HIS BOND WITH JALI
When Komphela was asked about his relationship with Jali, the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor did not beat around the bush as he opened up on his wonderful relationship with the 33-year-old defensive midfielder.
“In my opinion, as I always say, if you don’t love them you can’t keep them. So, as soon as you have them in your list you have to understand that before they are professional footballers they are people,” said Komphela.
“Apart from ‘AJ’ any of them whether Lantshane Phalane, Tshegofatso Mabasa, or Daniel Akpeyi we have a personal relationship.
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“And beyond that personal relationship, we then have a professional interaction obligation and it does come out.” Coach Komphela expressed his gratitude to work together with Jali and described him as a “very mature” person.
“It’s a great opportunity that I worked with ‘AJ’ before even in my previous employment [Mamelodi Sundowns] and I’m working with him now and he’s very mature,” he added. “He has got good technical ability.
He may not necessarily be the ‘AJ’ we had 10 years back in terms of his physical stature. But the brain makes up for that.
“He’s great to watch. He dictates how the pass must go about, the tempo of the game, and how to flow the game. He literally determines the temperature and mood in the game. Such players are a rare breed.”