For former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele, the MTN8 will always hold a special place in his football journey.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma, the veteran defender reflected on why the cup competition was both the first and last major silverware he lifted in a Buccaneers shirt before hanging up his boots.
“It’s a trophy that is very important. It was the first trophy that I won in the PSL season and it’s the last trophy that I won in my career, so it means a lot to me,” Jele explained.
Having joined Pirates in 2006, Jele would go on to play more than 400 matches for the club, becoming one of its longest-serving players and a figure of consistency in defence. But the MTN8, he admits, gave him the spark early in every campaign.
“I’ve played this game because I wanted to win trophies and this was the trophy that I wanted to win at the beginning of the season to set the tone. It was a way of showing my game for the new season. It also pushed me to make sure my fitness was proper, both mentally and physically, so that I could play for the rest of the season,” Jele added.
The 37-year-old believes the competition is more than just an early-season cup. To him, it is a statement of intent, especially for players fighting for their place in the squad.
“The most important thing is that it’s very special to me because there’s a lot that happens at the start of the season. There are always new players coming in, and the MTN8 was a chance to prove that I was capable of playing and competing with whoever arrived. Winning it told everyone that I was ready, and it set the tone for me,” Jele said.
