Veteran defender Happy Jele’s wait to finally break a longstanding record held by Williams Okpara at Orlando Pirates continues after he was not involved in Sunday’s humiliating defeat 4-0 against Raja Casablanca.
According to the sources, Jele has not played since Pirates were embarrassed 4-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup on April 15.
The investigations further indicate that he has now missed all of Pirates’ last six league games and the last four they have played in the CAF Confederation Cup, with injury being cited as the reason for being absent. His contract situation has also been a subject of discussion with reports suggesting that his deal is coming up at the end of this season.
Based on his contribution this term, which has stretched to 21 appearances along with the experience and influence he brings in the dressing room, he is deserving of being handed an extension.
Jele has had various contract extensions at Pirates since the first time he signed just over 15 years ago after arriving from Walter Stars.
The 34-year-old has already earned legend status at the club but still has one huge milestone to reach, which is to set a new record for starts in the club’s history.
Having not played for over a month, Jele has been stuck on 374 starts and remains one game short of equaling Okpara’s record of 375 starts.
That record has been held by the retired Nigerian whose last game for Pirates came in the 2004/05 season.
With Pirates now out of African competition, Jele must start two of the four league games left if he is to break Okpara’s record this season.
The four games remaining for Pirates are against AmaZulu, TS Galaxy, Baroka and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandilaason for his absence.