Jabu Mahlangu
Encyclopedia
Jabu Jeremiah Mahlangu (born July 11, 1980 in Daveyton
, Gauteng
) is a South Africa
n football (soccer)
midfielder
who currently plays for Platinum Stars
.
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.
But Chiefs' officials lost patience with Pule and refused to give him a new contract when it ended in 2004.
late 2005 after missing several training sessions.
, 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.
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 February 18 he signed a one year contract with the club.
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 payers wishing them good luck and when he came to Jabu he said "Jabu, you must behave yourself".
Daveyton, Gauteng
Daveyton is a township in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Gauteng in South Africa. It borders Etwatwa to the north, Springs to the east, Benoni to the south, and Boksburg to the West. The nearest town is Benoni, which is 18 kilometres away...
, Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
) is a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who currently plays for Platinum Stars
Platinum Stars
Platinum Stars are a South African association football club based in Phokeng near Rustenburg, North West Province that plays in the Premier Soccer League...
.
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.
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 UnitedSupersport United
SuperSport United is a South African football club based in Pretoria that plays in the Premier Soccer League.The club was originally known as Pretoria City. City was purchased by M-Net in 1994. M-Net got approval from the National Soccer League and the club was renamed.United is known as...
late 2005 after missing several training sessions.
Orlando Pirates
But Irvin KhozaIrvin Khoza
Irvin Khoza is a South African soccer administrator. Nicknamed "Iron Duke / Squveve", he is the Chairman of Orlando Pirates Football Club, Chairman of the South African Premier Soccer League and by virtue of this, Vice-President of the South African Football Association...
, 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 the 23 June 2008 to Sweden for trials with Helsingborgs IFHelsingborgs IF
Helsingborgs IF , commonly referred to as Helsingborg and locally HIF, is a Swedish football club located in Helsingborg. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan...
and fellow Swedish clubs IF Limhamn Bunkeflo
IF Limhamn Bunkeflo
IF Limhamn Bunkeflo 2007, sometimes referred to as LB07, is a Swedish professional football club located in the suburb Limhamn of Malmö. The club play in Division 1 Södra, the third tier of the Swedish football league system. The club is affiliated to Skånes Fotbollförbund...
and Östers IF
Östers IF
Östers IF is a Swedish football club located in Växjö. The club, formed 20 April 1930 , is currently playing in the second Swedish league called Superettan. In 1968, Öster won Allsvenskan as newcomers. The club is affiliated to the Smålands Fotbollförbund...
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
Växjö
Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a...
to try and secure a long term deal with now Superettan newcomers Östers IF. On February 18 he signed a one year contract with the club.
South African National Team
He made 20 appearances for the South Africa national football teamSouth Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
from 2000 to 2004, and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
and at the 2000 Olympic Games. during the departure for the world cup, the president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, was handshaking the payers wishing them good luck and when he came to Jabu he said "Jabu, you must behave yourself".