All Hail the Treble King: Andile Jali

ALL HAIL THE

TREBLE KING:

ANDILE

JALI

Andile Jali during the DSTV 2021/22 Premiership season

Author: Dumisani Koyana

There has been one constant denominator across winning ‘trebles’ in South African football − Andile Jali (AJ). The midfield maestro has been part of four different campaigns in which a South African team has completed a treble during a Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.

After enjoying the ‘Double-Treble’ with Orlando Pirates (2010/11 and 2011/12), AJ has repeated that same feat with the Brazilians (2019/20 and 2021/22). In the just-concluded season, Jali was pure excellence across the three domestic competitions (DStv Premiership, MTN8 title, and the Nedbank Cup) clinched by The Brazilians.

Throughout the campaign, the 32-year- old showed his class as a tireless midfield dynamo and his performances were duly rewarded at the PSL awards.

AJ was delighted after scooping the treble - MTN8 Last Man Standing, DStv Premiership Midfielder of the Season, and Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament awards, “I am very excited to be recognised for my determination and passion for the team. These awards would not have been made possible without my teammates and the coaching crew. We fought gallantly across every competition we participated in and I am proud to be part of another historic season with Sundowns.”

Andile Jali during the 2021/22 Mamelodi Sundowns trophy tour in Mamelodi

The ‘King of Trebles’ also displayed his longevity throughout the season, by featuring in 40 of the team’s 49 games across all competitions. On his endurance, Jali said “At a club like Sundowns, you must be ready to compete for trophies at the highest level. Therefore, it is critical to build one’s fitness because of the number of games the team plays every season. I am glad that I was able to stay strong and competitive throughout the campaign.”

Coach Manqoba Mngqithi expressed his appreciation for the longevity and incredible fitness levels of Jali, “We are all excited for AJ who has kept performing at the top level despite his age. He deserves every accolade he earned at the PSL Awards. There is nothing as pleasing as seeing the hard-working players getting the recognition they deserve.”

Man of the match Andile Jali during the 2022 Nedbank Cup Semifinal match between Royal AM and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Chatsworth Stadium

Scooping three awards from the five categories he was nominated for, further underlines the contributions of Jali to the Sundowns midfield throughout the season. Thanks to his tactical intelligence coupled with a perfect combination of grit and toughness in the middle of the park, AJ has become synonymous with dedication and determination associated with the Mamelodi Sundowns brand.

This incredible achievement has increased Andile Jali’s titles to 8 with Masandawana and 14 career trophies in total for the midfield maestro! Congratulations from the entire Sundowns Family on this amazing accomplishment!

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