Jabu Mahlangu

Jabu Jeremiah Mahlangu (born Jabu Jeremiah Pule on 11 July 1980) is a former South African association football midfielder.

Club career South Africa Pule's first club was Kaizer Chiefs, where his contract was terminated in 2003 due to unprofessional conduct. He began trials for SV Mattersburg in Austria, but after eight months, he was asked to leave the club after crashing his car while under the influence of alcohol.

Twice sent to a rehabilitation clinic to overcome his problems with drinking and drugs, Pule was sacked by SuperSport United in late 2005 after missing several training sessions. He was then signed by Orlando Pirates and changed his surname to Mahlangu in early 2006.

Sweden Pule left South Africa on 23 June 2008 for trials with Swedish clubs Helsingborgs IF, 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 as the team came close to promotion into Superettan, with none of the problematic behaviour that had previously marred his career.

On 18 February 2010, Jabu signed a one-year contract with now Superettan newcomers Östers IF.

International career Jabu 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 team's departure for the World Cup, South African president Thabo Mbeki, while shaking hands with the players to wish them good luck, said to him: "Jabu, you must behave yourself".

He was not selected for the South African squad in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, due to his behavior.

Career statistics

International goals Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 8 April 2000 Setsoto Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho 0–2 Win 2002 FIFA World Cup qual. 2. 24 August 2002 Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa 4–1 Win 2002 COSAFA CupCorrect as of 9 March 2017