| Intro | South African footballer | ||
| Is |
Athlete Football player Association football player |
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| From | South Africa | ||
| Type | Sports | ||
| Gender | male | ||
| Birth | 11 July 1980, Daveyton, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng, South Africa | ||
| Age: | 40 years | ||
| Stats |
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Jabu Jeremiah Mahlangu (formerly Jabu Jeremiah Pule) (born 11 July 1980 in Daveyton, Gauteng) is a retired South African football (soccer) midfielder who last played for Supersport United.
Pule affectionately 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.
His is the ultimate tale of talent squandered and opportunities lost. – See more at: http://www.heartlines.org.za/mention-the-name-jabu-pule-eyes-roll-and-heads-shake/#sthash.B49Dfh0H.dpuf
Although being considered a hugely talented, he often had numerous off-field and disciplinary issues in the past. Most of his troublesome behavior was attributed to drinking alcohol.In the height of his professional football he impregnated a beautiful Willowmore High School girl. Jabu Pule and Twhana Songame now wife have two children. He has since said that the cause of his alcohol addiction was his mother’s death. Jabu Mahlangu had the humility to suggest that she leaves him when he hit rock bottom, his wife stuck through him. He attributes himself being clean and sober form alcohol to her.He says she encouraged him to join the Super Sport channel as a soccer Analyst.
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.
South African National Team
He made 20 appearances for the South Africa national football team from 2000 to 2004, and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and at the 2000 Olympic Games. 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”.
The most defining moment for Jabu Mahlangu that hurt him and not himself but the South African Nation. It was in 2010 when South Africa Hosted the FIFA World Cup. His unbecoming behavior costed him not making the selection for the National team.
It was a painful time when the National Team did not progress from group stages when South Africa had talented soccer stars such as Jabu Mahlangu.
His life and times continues to inspire many people in his township and the rest of the continent.
Career statistics
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8 April 2000 | Setsoto Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho | Lesotho | 0–2 | Win | 2002 FIFA World Cup qual. | |||||
| 2. | 24 August 2002 | Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa | Swaziland | 4–1 | Win | 2002 COSAFA Cup | |||||
| Correct as of 9 March 2017 | |||||||||||