Andile Jali wins PSL dispute against Chippa United over unpaid wages

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Andile Jali has won his long-running payment dispute with Chippa United after the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) ordered the club to pay him money owed under his contract.

The chamber delivered its final ruling and issued an order on Thursday, bringing an end to the case brought by Jali, who has since retired from football.

Jali joined Chippa United from Moroka Swallows during the 2024/25 season. The former Orlando Pirates midfielder later ended his playing career after winning 49 caps for Bafana Bafana.

Jali’s legal representative, Thembelani Mpakati, confirmed that the DRC had found in his client’s favour.

“Andile Jali had a contract with Chippa United which expired in June 2025. In terms of the contract, Chippa United was to pay a certain amount for the services,” Mpakati told KickOff.

“Upon expiry, Chippa United failed to pay what was due and payable to my client in terms of the contract, which constituted a breach of contract.”

Mpakati said repeated efforts to resolve the matter directly with the Eastern Cape club had been unsuccessful, leaving Jali with no option but to pursue the claim through the DRC under the PSL Handbook.

“After several attempts to approach the club that yielded no results, we were left with no choice but to institute a claim against Chippa United at the DRC in terms of the PSL Handbook,” he said.

The ruling follows another financial dispute involving Chippa United and a former member of their technical staff.

The club avoided a FIFA sanction earlier this year after being ordered to pay Belgian coach Luc Eymael R250,000 in unpaid money. Eymael had taken the matter to FIFA after Chippa United failed to honour a settlement following the termination of his contract during the 2025/26 season.

The cases involving Eymael and Jali point to a recurring pattern of payment disputes between Chippa United and former players or technical team members.

For Jali, Thursday’s decision concludes a prolonged legal battle and confirms that he is to receive the money owed to him after a distinguished career, during which he represented Bafana Bafana 49 times.