Orlando Pirates legend Happy Jele retires
Will the Orlando Pirates legend venture into coaching or something else within football now that he has retired?
Orlando Pirates legend Happy Jele has confirmed he’s retired from professional football at the age of 37!
Jele served the game with distinction for 17 years, 16 of which were with the Sea Robbers whom he signed with as a teenager in 2006.
The Mpumalanga-born star was made Pirates captain when Oupa Manyisa left the armband and the club for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Two seasons ago, Pirates announced Jele’s departure, and this was soon after Jose Riveiro’s appointment as head coach.
And that took everyone by surprise given the influence Jele had on his Pirates teammates on and off the field over the years.
At the time, Pirates said Jele had been offered a non-playing position at the club but the now former defender wasn’t ready to retire hence he joined Royal AM.
However, his stint with Royal AM was very short as he joined them in February and left at the end of that season in June.
Now, speaking to Karabo Phasha, Jele confirmed that he has stopped playing, and that he will officially announce his retirement soon.
ORLANDO PIRATES LEGEND HAPPY JELE CALLS IT QUITS
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆🚨
— Karabo Selebalo Phasha (@TheeSportsGuy01) May 15, 2024
Former Orlando Pirates Captain Happy Jele CONFIRMS to me for the 1st time EVER that he has OFFICIALLY RETIRED from professional football.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑! 🙏🏾❤️🏴☠️#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways #DstvPrem 🏴☠️🙏🏾🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/Y3vFv2qiq4
JELE HAD A DECORATED FOOTBALL CAREER
Jele retires having had a decorated football career, especially with Pirates whom he won EIGHT major trophies with.
They include two league titles, two MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cup titles and two Telkom Knockout Cup titles.
Jele also lost a few Cup finals in his illustrious career, included the CAF Champions League in 2013 and the CAF Confederation Cup in 2015 and 2022.
He was also a full Bafana Bafana international although he may consider his international career a failure after managing just two caps.