What will Andile Jali bring to Chippa United in the new season?

Jali was confirmed as the Chillie Boys’ new signing just last week, in what is potentially his last professional football contract, with a one-year plus one option deal signed. The 34-year-old, who hails from Matatiele, is finally coming to play in his home province (Eastern Cape) after having turned out for local giants like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. September says Jali is going to be an extra eye for the coach on the field of play.

READ: Makhubedu: It’s going to be gegenpressing all the way under Peter Hyballa this season

 ''Maturity and a lot of experience, like I said we have too many players on the side even in the middle - so he brings that. He will be like a teacher to them, and will be helping us as coaches on the field - he needs to command. We know that his legs will not carry him that far in terms of the league, so we have to manage him as well,'' said September.

Ironically, Jali was spotted by the late Bafana Bafana head coach, Clive Barker, playing in a school tournament in Gqeberha. He then informed his nephew Steve Barker at the University of Pretoria, who followed up, and the rest was history. September, who started his professional football career at Bush Bucks in East London before moving to SuperSport United, also expects Jali’s popularity to help Chippa United with supporters mobilization.

''With his experience, he will bring other players to their best performance. We also expect him to bring more supporters to the field because he is a homeboy from Eastern Cape, we expect him to play a huge role out of everything,'' added September.

September says another son of the province he expects to play a big role this season at the Chillie Boyz is Aphelele Teto, who is on loan from the Scottish side Livingston FC.

 ''He is going to play a big role, I think with him - what he can do is score goals, create goals and the energy as well because he is young, he's 21. He needs to get back to Europe and Andile will help him in terms of what he has done in Europe, that will help him to get to where he is supposed to be. And him being also from the Eastern Cape it shows what we are trying to do at Chippa to bring back players that are from Eastern Cape and give them the opportunity - so that people can identify with the club. Teto is going to play a big part for us this season,'' concluded September.

After finishing the season with no fears of being involved in the relegation battle and preparing for the new season early, September believes that they have assembled a good team this season of talented players, some unknown, who will also shake the Premier Division.