Given the tendency by big clubs to give veteran players short-term contract extensions, former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has opened up on the matter.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, one of the biggest talking points was whether Pirates were going to extend the contract of Makhehlene Makhaula, who played a big role but was 35.
If the Buccaneers were going to renew his contract, it was expected that it would not be more than one year, given his age.
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There are supporters who feel the big clubs don't respect players over the age of 30, given various contributions, as one-year contracts don't give them stability or financial security for their families.
For Jele, however, the one-year contracts, helped him stay on his toes and to stay longer at the Soweto giants.
"Those moments I realized anytime soon it's going to end, so for me that one year I renew every time," Jele explained his situation on G2G Podcast YouTube Channel.
"To give me another contract, one year, I'm on my toes and once you're on your toes you work harder, you know you want another one year.
"For me one year contracts lasted me five, six years, doing that thing, one year, one year, one year and it helped. It was giving me more challenge to step up on my feet all the time," Jele added.
Makhaula won the Betway Premiership Midfielder of the Season on the back of a one-year deal and indications are that he renewed for another one year.
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Innocent Maela was not as fortunate as Jele, as at 32, Pirates eventually decided to let him go, as he was no longer a regular, interrupted by injuries towards the latter part.
Even the likes of Themba Zwane were not guaranteed any comfort of a longer stay once he reached 34, as Mamelodi Sundowns have been renewing by only one year.
