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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has refused to take credit for the good form that has been displayed by midfielder Andile Jali.
The 29-year-old Jali came back into South African football from overseas to join Sundowns in 2018 but his early days at the Tshwane club was marred by plenty of off-field issues.
However, the former Orlando Pirates player has turned his fortunes around and is now back to his best and even received a recall to the Bafana squad.
Mosimane said in quotes published in the Sowetan: "I didn't get him right, he got himself right.
"I don't want to get praise for his change of fortunes.
"Mine was to monitor him, advise him and to make him aware that it is the Sundowns brand that he represents.
"I also made him aware of protecting his image and to protect his family because I wanted him to return to Bafana Bafana, and to help us in the Champions League."
Mosimane added: "That was my part, the rest was up to him and he has done very well.
"I have never seen him play like this. I remember there was a time at Pirates with Oupa [Manyisa], he was playing well, but football has changed.
"That time to this time, the tempo, the pressing and kilometers are different.
"The spaces are compressed, you can't compare the era of Eric Tinkler to the era of Jali."
The Sundowns mentor went on to praise the work Jali has done, not just on the field but also working on his fitness and conditioning.
Mosimane continued: "He lost a lot of weight, he's on top of his training programme and he is playing week in week out.
"It is unbelievable that we have him like this, it just shows that it is possible and I think he should be an example to other players to say you can turn around."
- TEAMtalk media
