Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali is currently free to join a team of his choice but there are challenges on why he can't sign for the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu.
After Jali's contract at Sundowns was terminated by mutual consent in May last year, the Matatiele-born midfielder was heavily linked with moves to either Amakhosi or AmaZulu, who were reportedly front-runners for his signature.
However, Swallows pulled off a coup of the winter transfer window after they announced that they have signed the former Bafana Bafana midfielder.
Jali was named captain at Swallows, as he was a vital cog in the 'transformation' project directed by his former coach at the Brazilians Steve Komphela.
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However, the wheels at the Birds started to come off towards the end of last year, as their financial struggles led to them owing salaries to players and the players had enough in December after they downed tools and the Soweto outfit could not honour two league fixtures against Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
After being charged and fined by the PSL Disciplinary Committee, Swallows took a seemingly calculated decision to fire all the players who took part in the so-called strike action and opened the door to renegotiate deals.
'AJ' is one of the dismissed players and his agent Mike Makaab has confirmed that they are looking to secure his future in the next week or two, even though they are still challenging the Birds' decision to dismiss him because he was injured during the time the players were on strike.
Makaab, however, cautioned that it won't be easy to find him another team.
"It's not an easy situation because (during) the January transfer window, clubs have their budgets, clubs have filled certain positions, they are not looking to strengthen in those positions, so it's not as easy as just finding another club," Makaab said on Gagasi FM Sports.
"But we're hoping within the next week or two we would have sorted their futures out (Jali and Lantshene Phalane)," he added.
Jali was initially earmarked to replace Makhehlene Makhaula at Usuthu, who joined Orlando Pirates, but the KwaZulu-Natal side eventually settled for Ben Motshwari after the industrious anchorman joined the Birds.
Chiefs were also in the market for a defensive midfielder and after the 33-year-old joined Swallows, Amakhosi signed Sibongiseni Mthethwa instead.