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Jele: If I Did Not Play Football, I Would Have Pursued... 

Jele: If I Did Not Play Football, I Would Have Pursued... 

Happy Jele during the 2021 Carling Black Label Cup Launch at Focus Rooms on 25 May 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele revealed what his alternate profession would have been if he had not become a professional footballer.

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The story

It's been nearly a year and a half since Happy Jele concluded his Royal AM journey, with the former Orlando Pirates captain already reflected on his successful career in the PSL.

Speaking to former teammate Lebohang "Cheezboy" Mokoena on the SoccerBeat podcast, "Magents" discussed what career path he would have taken if it wasn't for football.

The 37-year-old defender, who is currently without a club after cutting ties with Thwihle Thwahla in June last year, revealed that he would've likely ended working in the mining industry if he didn't become a footballer.

"I don't know, where I come from a place where there are a lot of people working on the mines. So for us, working in a mine was a big thing. You know, I feel like I also would have been part of those people that work as artisanal miner, or engineering because in my hood, there were a lot of mines," noted Jele to Cheezboy.

For Jele, his journey to an illustrious football career is rooted in humble beginnings. Born and raised in uMhluzi, a township in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, a move to the Buccaneers in 2006 changed his life for the better.

During his 16-year tenure with the Sea Robbers, he reached remarkable milestones, including winning the domestic treble twice and making over 400 appearances.

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