Sundowns star Andile Jali opens up on Broos, Bafana snub

Jali has been in superb form this season for Masandawana, winning the DStv Premiership Player of the Month award for February and captaining the side in the absence of the injured Denis Onyango.

However, he could not find a way into Broos’ final 23-man squad for the recent friendly matches against Guinea and France, with Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keagan Dolly (Kaizer Chiefs), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Goodman Mosele (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Monare (Orlando Pirates) originally included as the six midfielders.

Jali last played for Bafana in March 2021, but has now broken his silence over his continued Bafana snub.

“You see if I was the Andile of 2015 I would answer you in a different way or say something I would regret tomorrow and wake up questioning why I said what I said,” he said on Marawa Sports Worldwide, as translated from Xhosa by iDiski Times.

“He says he knows me but he did what he did before he even saw me, but he won’t listen to anyone telling him what to do.

“I’m happy where I am. My coaches are good, they are good, I’m playing well with my teammates, I no longer have as many injuries. I’m really happy where I am and I’m working hard for my team.”

Jali added that he was “not hurt” by the omission, and was always available for Bafana selection.

“The coach is like a neighbour that hates you but he doesn’t know why he hates you. Sometimes the neighbour just greets you after a while and you’re shocked at the sudden change after so long. I’m waiting for the neighbour now.”

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos previously explained why he didn’t include in-form Jali in his squad for friendlies against Guinea and France.

“You know this is a choice. This is a choice I made,” Broos said.

“I know Jali very well because he played in Belgium. And this is a choice I made from the beginning. And I’m still OK for myself with that choice.

“So I will try other players. Jali is an older player too. So I think that with the younger players I have now, I am [also] looking for other types of players in the midfield.”