Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele reflected on the challenges of leaving a club he served for 16 years, similar to Itumeleng Khune’s situation.
After a remarkable 25-year tenure at Chiefs, the veteran goalkeeper was not offered a contract extension for the 2023/24 season. Instead, he has been given the option to transition into a marketing role within the club.
At 37 years old, Khune is keen to extend his playing career until the age of 40.
However, Chiefs made it clear that his future lay outside the playing squad, forcing him to decide between a non-playing role or risking the loss of club benefits by pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
Jele faced a similar dilemma two years prior when Pirates opted not to renew his contract, instead offering him a position within the club.
“I realised I was playing a big role at Orlando Pirates because I hurt a lot of people.
“My exit hurt a lot of people, but I also wanted to continue playing,” he explained on the Trap and Pass podcast.
After a six-month hiatus, Jele signed with Royal AM in January 2023, though his contract was not renewed at the end of that season.
He remains grateful for his time at Pirates, stating, “They taught me everything from day one, and I’m thankful for that.”
Meanwhile, Khune has also been announced as a new TV analyst for SABC Sport, though his exact role at Chiefs is still pending confirmation.