Andile Jali’s long-range stunner in Chippa United’s 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday has been tipped as a potential goal-of-the-season contender.
The 34-year-old, who joined the Gqeberha-based outfit as a free agent after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns, was one of the stand-out players for the "Chilli boys" and scored remarkable a long-range goal which left goalkeeper Sipho Chaine stunned and literally on his knees.
Pirates left-back Thabiso Lebitso took home the prestigious award last season, for his thunderous long-rage strike in the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs at packed FNB Stadium.
Last night at the #PSLAwards, Thabiso Lebitso’s Soweto Derby rocket won #DStvPrem Goal of the Season 🥅![CDATA[]]>🏆 pic.twitter.com/sZO6oDERyy
— BabizeBonke_ZA (@BabizeBonke_ZA) June 24, 2024
In the 2022/23 season, Kaizer Chief’s Yusuf Maart claimed the award, with his wonder goal, that he hit in his own half and caught goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane out position, also in the Soweto Derby.
A stunning goal to win the #SowetoDerby 💥
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 1, 2022
This strike from @KaizerChiefs’ Yusuf Maart could be one for the #Puskas list 👀
Who do you think deserves the award for the most spectacular goal of the year? Use #Puskas to share your contenders!pic.twitter.com/c1BtxF5FrT
With his goal on Wednesday Jali could soon join Maart and Lebitso and other great players who have won the award.
Following the goal many fans took to X to praise the midfield maestro, with some even tipping his long-range effort to be an early goal-of-the-season contender.
𝗝![CDATA[]]>𝗔![CDATA[]]>𝗟![CDATA[]]>𝗜! 𝗔![CDATA[]]>𝗕![CDATA[]]>𝗦![CDATA[]]>𝗢![CDATA[]]>𝗟![CDATA[]]>𝗨![CDATA[]]>𝗧![CDATA[]]>𝗘 𝗥![CDATA[]]>𝗢![CDATA[]]>𝗖![CDATA[]]>𝗞![CDATA[]]>𝗘![CDATA[]]>𝗧! 🌶️
— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e_) September 18, 2024
Chippa United take the lead with an absolute rocket of a strike from Andile Jali and with a muted celebration.🚀
A contender for a goal of the season! A golazo and a half from the veteran midfielder!
Orlando Pirates 0-1 Chippa United pic.twitter.com/nBfIEzB6if
Cape Town Spurs midfielder Michael Morton said Andile Jali’s goal was an early goal-of-the-season contender.
“How many times has goal of the season been scored on matchday 1!! That is outrageous from Jali!! What a strike! 💥”
How many times has goal of the season been scored on matchday 1!!
— ⬣ Michael Morton ⬣ (@MMORTON6) September 18, 2024
That is outrageous from Jali!! What a strike! 💥 pic.twitter.com/d7yLjmxbGg
Football content creator @sahil_e_ shared the same sentiments as Morton.
“Chippa United take the lead with an absolute rocket of a strike from Andile Jali and with a muted celebration.🚀 A contender for a goal of the season! A golazo and a half from the veteran midfielder!” he said.
While @GustavoNinela commended the veteran midfielder for not celebrating against his former team.
“Andile Jali is a true Orlando Pirates legend I respect him for not celebrating against us but personally I wouldn't mind if he did because that was a world class goal that deserved a celebration”
@_izodlalaiTv Jokingly stated the goal was so good that Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine had to kneel on 1 knee.
“The way that Andile Jali goal was so good, Sipho Chaine had to kneel on 1 knee as a sign of appreciation instantly” he posted.
It remains to be seen if Jali will play in Chippa United’s next match against Richards Bay FC after he was substituted at half-time because of a hamstring injury.
IOL Sport