MAMELODI Sundowns will support Andile Jali like they’ve done with other controversial players who’ve played for the club.
This was revealed by the Brazilians head coach Pitso Mosimane, who signed the former Orlando Pirates midfielder this season.
Mosimane made the bold decision on Saturday to play the midfielder, who is out on bail, in Downs’ 2-0 defeat to Baroka FC in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinal at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The 28-year-old player was arrested on charges of malicious damage to property and assault, allegedly on his wife. He was released on R1 500 bail on Tuesday after spending a night in jail.
“Andile is a good player and Bafana Bafana material,”’said Mosimane.
“We are happy with him at Sundowns. Our job is to make Andile play more and get better. You could see his distribution and defending today (Saturday).
“We need him at Sundowns and we have to support him. He is our player, we invested in him and we need to back him up, especially at this point in time.”
Added the coach: “Andile has given us his best in a difficult time in his life. Personally, I couldn’t have come out in the circumstances he is facing. The good thing is that he is in a good environment at Sundowns.
“At Sundowns it’s our job to support him and we have done so for many players.”
Regarding their shocking defeat to Bakgaga, the former Bafana head coach said the Limpopo side deserved to win as his team did not create many scoring chances.
“We have to accept this defeat and move on,” explained Mosimane.”
“We can’t win everything. We did not create much chances, congratulations to Baroka.”
The 54-year-old said he would never blame his goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse for scoring an own goal.
“The first goal was a penalty and second was a deflection, so I cannot blame him for that,” said Mosimane.
“It has happened to some of the best goalkeepers in the world. I don’t think I should blame him. Let’s not kill the poor boy – we still need him.
“He had a decent game when we played against Golden Arrows and no one said anything.”
