George Maluleka

The midfielder shook the local game with his decision to make the switch from Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of the season. But is it a good move?

It was rather surprising and sudden that George Maluleka will be headed to Mamelodi Sundowns upon the expiry of his contract with Kaizer Chiefs. Through all the time that he spent in negotiations with Chiefs over the renewal of his deal, there wasn’t much to suggest that it all would all end up with Maluleka leaving Naturena at the end of June.

The cold facts are that Maluleka will turn 32 next year January, so it is obvious that the length of the contract and the financial figures mattered most at this point in his career.

Then the desire to win silverware and play Champions League football regularly carried weight, considering Chiefs haven’t won any silverware through the last five years.

Added to that is the fact that by being at Chloorkop, he is back within a walking distance from home in Tembisa, where he grew up.

“He has always dreamt of playing for Sundowns since back in the days when we were together at University of Pretoria because during those days we played Sundowns a lot in pre-season friendly matches,” reveals Dominic Sithole, who was one of the senior statesman at Tuks during the 2006/07 season.

The retired former goalkeeper was always a shoulder that Maluleka could lean on as a teenager.

“Back then he used to look up to Lerato Chabangu when he was at Mamelodi Sundowns. George was a kid with a great attitude and professional approach to his game and that is why I am not surprised he is still in the game more than 12 years since I played with him.

“When I first played with George, he was a very skilful kid and playing as a