Jabu Mahlangu

Football player infobox
playername = Jabu Mahlangu


fullname = Jabu Jeremiah Mahlangu
nickname =
height = height|m=1.68
weight =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1980|7|11
cityofbirth = Daveyton
countryofbirth = South Africa
currentclub = Östers IF
clubnumber =
position = attacking midfielder,
central midfielder
youthyears = –1999
youthclubs = Kaizer Chiefs
years = 1999–2004
2004–2005
2005–2006
2006–2007
2008–current
clubs = Kaizer Chiefs
SV Mattersburg
Supersport United
Orlando Pirates
Östers IF
caps(goals) = 0? 0(?)
22 0(2)
09 0(0)
18 0(1)
()
nationalyears = 2000–2004
nationalteam = South Africa
nationalcaps(goals) = 20 0(2)
pcupdate = February 13, 2007
ntupdate = February 13, 2007

Jabu Mahlangu (formerly Jabu Pule) (born July 11, 1980 in Daveyton, Gauteng) is a South African football (soccer) midfielder who currently plays for the Swedish club Östers IF.

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 a South African international, he has had numerous off-field and disciplinary issues.

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.

V Mattersburg

His fortunes were no different at Austrian club SV Mattersburg, where he 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.

uperSport 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.

outh African National Team

He represented the South Africa national football team several times 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".

Östers IF

Pule left the country on the 23 June 2008 to Sweden for trails with Helsingborgs IF and fellow Swedish clubs IF Limhamn Bunkeflo and Östers IF after training and under the guidence of Faruk Khan at his Academy. He is now playing for Östers IF.