Orlando Pirates Stalwart Happy Jele to Slot Into Non Playing Role After Impending Retirement

• Long-serving Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele can look forward to retirement knowing that his future thereafter will be secure
• The 35-year-old is set for a role at the club once he calls it quits, an increasing possibility considering his injury-plagued last few seasons with the Buccaneers
• Jele's status as a club legend is confirmed, having become the player with the most appearances in its history since debuting in 2006

Stalwart Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele is being set up for a non-playing role once his glittering career comes to a conclusion in the near future.

Jele enjoys the distinction of being a one-club man, having turned out in the famous-black-and-white colours since 2006, when he arrived from amateur club Walter Stars.

According to Transfermarkt, he has already broken the legendary Nigerian goalkeeper Williams Okpara's appearances record, with well over 400 since his debut.

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Kick Off reported that the non-playing "has no date attached to it and will become available for Jele when he decides to call time on his playing career". Jele's current contract expires at the end of June with the option of an additional year.

During his decorated career, Jele has lifted two league titles, two Nedbank Cup winners' medals, a Telkom Knockout and three MTN8 titles while adding a silver medal from the CAF Champions League and two more of these from the Confederation Cup. He made three Bafana Bafana appearances in 2011 on the back of a sensational campaign when the Buccaneers won the first of two consecutive Trebles.

Stalwart Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele's future at the club confirmed after return from injury

Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele had an encouraging return from injury, and his future at the club is now firm after being up in the air for a while.

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As reported by Sports Brief, Jele was selected overwhelmingly by voters to start for the Warriors in the DStv Compact Cup against Amabutho. He put in a solid performance as his team won 2-1 to reach the final.

The 35-year-old Jele is in the final six months of his contract at the club, and the club did not appear in a hurry to extend it.