PSL veteran midfielder, Linda Mntambo recounted the incidents that brought him closer to former Orlando Pirates captain and friend, Happy Jele.
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The story
Sekhukhune United captain Linda Mntambo shared an entertaining story about how he formed a friendship with his former skipper at the Buccaneers, Happy Jele.
Speaking on Jele's co-hosted podcast, "iDiski Dine" with OBI Knows, Mntambo was asked how he clicked with "Magents" at Bucs.
Jele initially explained how he became friends with Bafana Bafana International, Thabang Monare and Mntambo, with the latter revealing how their friendship started on slightly awkward footing.
"I just want to explain how I met Happy and how we became close. When I got to Pirates, one thing I did not know the skipper always sits in the first seat when you enter the change room.
"[I understand] it only now that I'm at Sekhukhune, the first seat, that's where I find my jersey as the captain. At Pirates, we were using the FNB Stadium for pre-season under coach Micho (Milutin Sredojevic) and coach Rulani (Mokwena)
"When I arrived, somehow I used the first seat. I wanted to arrive nice and early, I got there so early, I changed in Happy's place. After training I find my things on a chair, not where I left them. When I check, I saw Happy's things and I thought, 'Oh this guy is full of it, who does he think he is?' That day I was so angry but I thought 'let me leave it because it's the skipper," shared Mntambo.
The 35-year-old went onto to explain the moment that solidified his friendship with Jele, which came in the aftermath of Thamsanqa Gabuza's angry gesture towards the Pirates supporters in 2018 during a 2-1 win over Black Leopards.
"When we came back from Polokwane, we headed back to the Rand Stadium, where Gabuza had to make that apology. Afterwards, I didn't have my car at the time so I asked Happy for a lift. In the car, Happy always had his phone connected to the Bluetooth.
"A call comes in and the guy who phoned says angrily, 'And now? Your teammate Gabuza, what is he doing?' and now I'm waiting for Happy's response and now the captain speaks and here, he showed his leadership skill.
"Happy said, 'Don't speak about my teammate like that. So, if I f*** up on the field tomorrow, you'll be speaking ill of me as well? So, take those words back, Gabuza is also human, he made a mistake, it got to him that fans were talking about him on social media.' Bru, I'm sitting there thinking, 'Would I have done the same thing?' stated Mntambo, who heaped praise on Jele's character as a captain.
The Babina Noko baller went on to share another example of Jele's grace, where the towering centre back showed his support to Mntambo after a family bereavement.
"When I lost my brother, the team contributed but he made his contributed to me personally. He gave me a lump sum to help with a funeral arrangements. I knew since then, this is a brother, this is my keeper and I will walk this journey with him," added Mntambo.
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Watch from minute 9:20 till 14:00 to hear Mntambo speaking positively about Jele and how they became friends:
