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McCarthy backs Jali’s move

Cape Town - Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy believes his former team-mate Andile Jali has the potential to be regarded as one of South Africa's greatest football exports.

The all-time leading goal scorer for the senior national team was speaking following Jali’s move from the Buccaneers to Belgian side KV Oostende over the weekend.

It was rumoured that the former University of Pretoria midfielder was unhappy with his new contract offered by the Buccaneers and had opted for a European move instead.

“Gattuso's" current contract was due to expire at the end of the season after signing a five-year deal with the Soweto giants in July 2009.

Speaking to the Kick-Off website, the former FC Porto goal poacher said that Jali has a strong character, but needs to respect people in order to succeed in Europe and he is confident that the 23-year-old will emulate his own success as well as that of Quinton Fortune and Steven Pienaar.

Jali played his last game for the Happy People in their 1-1 draw against the PSL strugglers AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban last Thursday. 

Jali helped Pirates win the treble back-to-back in 2011 and 2012, and was also part of the Sea Robbers' squad that reached the 2013 CAF Champions League final which they surrendered to Egyptians giants Al Ahly.

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