Former Orlando Pirates dynamite midfielder, Andile Jali, has returned to the Absa Premiership, only this time he’s joining newly crowned champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Jali has penned a five-year contract with Bafana ba style, which stretches to 2023, and will be reuniting with some of his former teammates including Oupa Manyisa, whom he formed a formidable partnership with while they were both still at Pirates. This move comes at the back of Jali’s stint with Belgian side KV Oostende, where he played for four seasons. The 28-year old midfielder became a free agent at the start of the year after his team agreed to terminate his contract.

Jali had been linked with a return to Orlando Pirates, where is glittering career began. Arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs were also in the running for the midfielder’s signature in their bid to beef up their midfield contingent. However, “Mhlekazi” as he’s affectionately known in the South African football streets,  seems to have settled the speculation with the announcement that he has joined the shoe shine and piano boys for the next five seasons.

Perhaps what will be more interesting is how coach Pitso Mosimane tries to accommodate Jali in Sundown’s already star-studded midfield comprising the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Themba Zwane, and Tiyani Mabunda. Will Jali break into Sundowns starting eleven? Will he improve Bafana ba style? Only time will tell.

In his own words speaking to Sundowns’ official website, Jali alluded, “I feel good to have signed for Mamelodi Sundowns. At last this deal is done. It’s been dragging for a long time. Now I can relax before the season starts. I have recovered from the injury, I am good to go. I passed the medicals. Now I am ready for Sundowns to tell me when to come to training.”