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Cape Town - Andile Jali has confirmed that he will return to the Absa Premiership when his contract with Belgian side Oostende expires in June amid reports he could link up with Pitso Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 27-year-old midfielder is back in the country to recover from a knee injury that ruled him out of the Bafana Bafana side for the Four Nations Tournament to be played in Zambia later this month.
Jali confirmed that he is in the last months of his contract with Oostende and has decided to come back and play in the Absa Premiership once his deal runs out in June.
The former Orlando Pirates man said he sustained the injury while playing for his team in a league match and will soon jet back to Belgium to start work with his physiotherapist.
"I was kicked from behind on the knee while playing a league game, but I am going back soon to start work with the physio," he told SuperSport's Thursday night show.
"Life has been good for me in Europe and I have been enjoying my football after so long. I am also going to be free to join any team of my choice.
"This season has been very good and I was not scared to play my best football. I still have a few months that I will see out at Oostende and I am free."
He added: "Yes, there is going to be a new direction in my career from here. I am going back to finish-up with my physio and everything, but am I coming back.
"I have made my mind, with my family, my wife. I have made my mind that now is time to come back to my family.”
The midfielder said it has not been easy for him since getting married as his wife and kids stay in South African and he only has a chance to see them once in three months due to his busy football schedule.
Jali joined Oostende from Pirates and has been in Belgium for the last four years.
"It was not an easy decision to take because my wife is working now while I am away and it’s not easy," he added.
"It’s not easy to see my kids after three months and now I want to be hands on with the kids."
From the 30 games that Oostende has played this season, Jali has played 24 of them and said he will go back and continue performing in the remaining months of his contract.
He added: "For me, I have a feeling that now that I will be going back to see out my contract, I have to show what I am made-off and leave a mark.
"I have to show that it’s my last months there. I have been there for four and half-years and it time to leave something that they will remember me with for a long time.
"You know the supporters there; they gave everything and made you understand what you are working for every time you go into the field. You are not just working for you and the family, but them as well.
"They come to support us even when it is very cold cheering us up. So for me when I went there it was my first time to see the crowd like this. Yes, people come here at home, but not like those people because it’s a small team, but the stadium was always a full house when we play."
