Jabu Mahlangu
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jabu Jeremiah Mahlangu | ||
| Date of birth | 11 July 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Daveyton, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder, Central midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –1999 | Kaizer Chiefs | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1999–2004 | Kaizer Chiefs | 99 | (27) |
| 2004–2005 | SV Mattersburg | 22 | (2) |
| 2005–2006 | Supersport United | 9 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | Orlando Pirates | 18 | (1) |
| 2008 | Östers IF | 13 | (5) |
| 2009 | Platinum Stars | 12 | (2) |
| 2010 | Östers IF | 22 | (1) |
| 2012 | FC Cape Town | 0 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| South Africa U-23 | |||
| 2000–2004 | South Africa | 20 | (2) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 February 2012. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Jabu Jeremiah Mahlangu (formerly Jabu Jeremiah Pule) (born 11 July 1980 in Daveyton, Gauteng) is a South African football (soccer) midfielder who last played for FC Cape Town.
Pule affactionately known as "Shuffle" or "Ngwana wa Tshwenya" — literally "troublesome child" — to his supporters, for his ability to turn defenders around. It was once said by SABC sport commentator that, when Pule is on song, the opposition dances. He was a crowd puller at his former and first professional team, Kaizer Chiefs.
Although being considered as hugely talented, he has had numerous off-field and disciplinary issues in the past.
Club career
Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs was Pule's first club, where he was perennially in trouble for his wayward behaviour but forgiven on countless occasions because of his importance to the team. But Chiefs' officials lost patience with Pule and refused to give him a new contract when it ended in 2004.
SV Mattersburg
His fortunes were no different as he only lasted eight months before he was sent packing. Jabu was asked to leave the club after crashing his car while under the influence of alcohol.
SuperSport United
Twice sent to a rehabilitation clinic to overcome his drinking and drugs problems, Pule was sacked by SuperSport United late 2005 after missing several training sessions.
Orlando Pirates
But Irvin Khoza, chairman of Orlando Pirates, decided to take a chance on the former South Africa international, who has been kicked out at his three previous clubs.
In early 2006, Jabu Pule changed his surname to Mahlangu, the name of his deceased father.
Östers IF
Pule left the country on 23 June 2008 to Sweden for trials with Helsingborgs IF and fellow Swedish clubs IF Limhamn Bunkeflo and Östers IF after training under the guidance of Farouk Khan at his academy in South Africa.
He completed 13 games for Östers IF in Division 1 Södra, helping bring the team to the verge of promotion into Superettan, while showing none of the problematic behaviour that had previously marred his career.
In February 2010, Jabu returned to Växjö to try and secure a long term deal with now Superettan newcomers Östers IF. On 18 February he signed a one year contract with the club.[1]
South African National Team
He made 20 appearances for the South Africa national football team from 2000 to 2004,[2] and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and at the 2000 Olympic Games.[3] during the departure for the World Cup, the president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, was handshaking the players wishing them good luck and when he came to Jabu he said "Jabu, you must behave yourself".
References
- ↑ Osterfotboll.com. "Jabu klar för Öster". Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ↑ Passo Alpuin, Luis Fernando and Tabeira, Martín (28 May 2009). "South Africa - International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
- ↑ "Jabu Pule Biography and Statistics". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
External links
- Jabu Mahlangu at National-Football-Teams.com
- Guardian's Stats Centre
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