Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Maluleka has opened up on how he fell out of favour at Kaizer Chiefs, leading to his bitter exit in 2020.
Maluleka had been a key part of a Chiefs team that was strolling to the PSL title in the 2019-20 season, that would later be disrupted by COVID-19, before Sundowns beat them to the crown on the final day.
The midfielder had been putting in impressive performances for coach Ernst Middendorp’s team but heading into the final six months of his contract, his future had not been decided.
Following the uncertainty, Mamelodi Sundowns pounced and handed him a pre-contract which he agreed to, something that angered Chiefs with Bobby Motaung banning his agent from ever stepping at Naturena yet the Glamour Boys had delayed in offering him a new deal.
“Sundowns only first approached me in March, well after the conclusion of the January window,” Maluleka wrote on Hollywood Bets’ Mastering the Midfield column, opening up on how a Sundowns team doctor informed him of coach Pitso Mosimane’s interest.
“My focus remained to win the league with Chiefs, and then look to secure my future at the end of the season. Despite speculation, I also barely spoke to coach Pitso personally, and moving forward it was my agent who took care of any negotiations as we were at a crucial stage in the season with Chiefs.
Why was Maluleka’s agent banned from Naturena?
“Somehow Chiefs found out about Sundowns’ offer and I decided to approach Ernst Middendorp, who I had a very good relationship with.
“I was straight and gave him all the details about the offer but at the same time, said, listen, I am with you and am fully committed to winning the league as we’re already almost there and had one hand on the trophy.”
Maluleka says it is at this point that his agent was denied access to Naturena by Bobby Motaung which further strained relationship as he was willing to extend his contract.
“I was such a valued member of the team to Ernst that each and every day I would literally go to see him first thing before training and he would ask me what the mood in the team was and what are the boys saying, and this was during my ongoing negotiation stage,” he added.
“Bobby also then surprisingly instructed me to not bring my agent into Naturena Village as he was “causing problems” as negotiations took a turn. My dad then accompanied me during the rest of my negotiations with the club.”
Sundowns offered more money for the midfielder
The midfielder says Chiefs made their approach late when he had already agreed terms with Sundowns even though he was still committed to the project and would have loved to extend.
“Chiefs, though, only approached me in March, as I mentioned before with my contract ending just three months later in June,” wrote Maluleka.
“Mentally, I was in a space where I thought to myself that if Chiefs gave me the security, then it was a no-brainer as I’ve been here for the past six or seven years.
“On the other hand, if Sundowns came with a better offer and more security, then I’d be able to weigh up my options.
“These are the things that a lot of people don’t know about because what if Chiefs were to decide at the end of my contract, that they were not going to renew… then I’m left in no man’s land. The offer I received from Chiefs was good, but Sundowns had the better offer with more years and money.”
Maluleka spent two years at Sundowns before moving to AmaZulu where he spent the same number of years and is now at lower league side Kruger United.
