George Maluleka is one of those players who quietly go about their business on and even off the pitch, that the fact that he is into his 17th season as a professional football star has gone under the radar. Talk about durability. Having turned out for six clubs thus far, he has meant different things to the different fanbases. To an Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) fan, he is remembered as a fulcrum of the side that almost snatched the league title from under Orlando Pirates' noses with Foppe de Haan their mastermind. Yet to a Kaizer Chiefs diehard, he is nothing more than a traitor who abandoned the ship smack-bang in the middle of a league title pursuit for rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, who went on to usurp them to the podium for league honours that very same season. It is perhaps the Tembisa-born star's thick skin that separates him from most of his peers, the ability to withstand brutal criticism in a Beautiful Game that can be anything but. Here he sits down with Soccer Laduma's Walter Mabeba, to reflect on the journey well-travelled.
Walter Mabeba: Mido, you're now into your 17th season as a professional footballer. What do you attribute your longevity to?
George Maluleka: I think it all goes back to hard work. I've been working hard in all my life. I always wanted to be successful, in all the aspects of life, and I think I applied myself very well to be able to be where I am today, not only in football but in life as well. Through God's grace, hard work, determination, discipline and luck as well, I was able to reach the milestone that I've reached in my professional career. However, I can't say there is a secret behind my success. All I can say is that I was blessed. I worked hard, with ambition, to be the best version of myself in everything that I do, wherever I am. There are also other people who've played an important role and helped me in achieving everything that I wanted to achieve – I'm talking about my family, the coaches I've worked with in my entire football career. I can't single anybody out in terms of their contributions on my way to success. My friends. I mean, everybody was backing me, and they were a confidence booster. They could see the potential I have, and it is much appreciated.
WM: In South Africa, once you tip over into the 30s, it simply means you're nearing the twilight of your career and not many teams will give you a chance. Now at 34, how long do you think your legs and body can still carry you?
GM: Age is not a factor. Players should be judged on what they can bring on the field. It is better to judge someone on his performance. In Europe, we see players still playing despite their (advanced) age because they are judged on what they can bring on the table and not their age. Having said that, I won't say I will play until the age of 40 like some of the legends we've had, but I feel like I still have a lot to offer. I have no fear at all. At 34, I am at my prime and believe that I still have a couple more years. Maybe another three, but I feel I can even go further. I can't write myself off. I have done so much and I am happy about my achievements. However, if my body and legs begin to tell me that it is time for me to say goodbye, I will do likewise.
WM: On that note, there was a scare when you collapsed during a game against Moroka Swallows last season. Are you not worried or scared that because of your age, that might be a problem for you to continue playing football?
GM: To be honest, I get those goosebumps. I feel scared a little bit. Ater undergoing some tests with the doctors, I was told that I am in the clear and that I can continue doing what I like most, and that is playing football. However, as much as they say I am clear, I also need to be vigilant because it is a matter of life and death. But so far, I feel fine and much better. Actually, what happened is that I ran out of breath. The doctors said it was something to do with my sinus and windpipes. But, like I said, I am cleared to keep on playing.
WM: AmaZulu FC are your sixth club in the pro ranks, having started out at University of Pretoria. Where would you say you've enjoyed your football the most?
GM: Honestly speaking, I can't single out. I think that is why my career has gone so far because I enjoyed myself at every club I played for. I made sure that I flourished at every club I played for. I joined SuperSport United after that. Yes, I didn't play much, but because I knew what I wanted, I became part of the junior national teams, representing the U20 and U23 teams. That first year with SuperSport, we won the league title with Gavin Hunt.
WM: You are also part of the last generation to win silverware at Kaizer Chiefs. Why do you think the trophy drought has persisted this long at Naturena?
GM: To be honest, it is a great feeling and an honour to be part of the last generation to have won some silverware at Kaizer Chiefs. It is history in the making. At the same time, it is saddening. I am not lashing out at the current crop of players at Chiefs, but this is a big club. If you are a player representing this club, you should know that when you sign that contract, it says it all. If you are representing that club, there aren't any questions asked. It is not every player who gets an opportunity to play for that club and when you sign for Chiefs, you must know that you are blessed. When you enter at the Village, you must know that that is the biggest club in Africa and must know what is expected from you.
WM: At Mamelodi Sundowns, you also won the league title three times, but many people thought your career there was stagnant. Plus your stay at Chloorkop was short-lived.
GM: (Laughs) I think people who were saying my career was stagnant were Kaizer Chiefs fans. I think it was a bitter pill for them to swallow when I left Kaizer Chiefs for Sundowns. They were saying I followed my friend George Lebese. Those kind of things. But fortunately, I am somebody with a strong heart and understand how supporters feel sometimes. But looking back at my time at Sundowns, I don't want to lie, I was happy there. Despite at some stage not playing, like at all the clubs that I represented, I had the best time of my life. I showed my qualities and my capabilities whenever I was called to do duty for the club.
WM: Some also seem to have hung on to this perception that Downs are in the business of "destroying players' careers". That they sign so many good players that some don't even get to play, until they are released. Your take?
GM: You know, at times, you have that journalist who wants to have a cover story. What is surprising is that when those players come, they have never played together. There is a lot of work that is done in that club to make players tick and get to know each other. People will always make excuses. All I can say is that the technical team at Sundowns are doing a great job. Pitso Mosimane did a great job before he left, and credit needs to be given where it is due. There is no bad blood at Sundowns. People who are there know that they are there to win and that can only elevate the team. There was no jealousy at all and the competition is very healthy at Sundowns.
WM: Having played for 17 years in the PSL, do you regard yourself as a stalwart of SA football?
GM: I think, on that one, it is for the people and the football fans to judge. I don't want to sound like I am blowing my own horn. Those who have been watching me play and following my progress are the people who should know. For me, I still want to achieve more. I approach every game that I play as if it is my first game of pro football.
WM: Statistics show that you only have six caps for Bafana Bafana. Underachievement?
GM: Yes. It is every player's dream to represent his country at national level and I feel disappointed that I did not get enough caps, despite my achievements at club level. I feel bad that I missed out on the squad that represented us at World Cup level, something that I would have loved. One other thing that still haunts me is losing out on the league title with Ajax Cape Town in 2011. We needed a win in our last game against Maritzburg United but only managed a draw, and Orlando Pirates were crowned champions. However, representing my country at the U20 World Cup in 2009 will always be something I will enthuse about.
WM: An overseas move is also something that has eluded you despite your enormous talent…
GM: That also is a very big disappointing factor for me. It has also been my wish to play with and against the greatest players around the world, to represent my country. Yes, I did with the few caps I have, but I wanted to go further. I did everything to achieve that, but unfortunately it was not to be.
WM: Usuthu had an unpleasant run last season and went into this campaign looking to make amends. For starters, a new coach, in the form of Franco Pablo Martin, has since come in. The club has also acquired the services of the experienced duo of Taariq Fielies and Ben Motshwari.
GM: In my opinion, I think we gave a good account of ourselves, looking at how we started. We have lost only two games, drawn four and won two. The arrival of the two big signings will also come in handy for the team. It is more experience coming in, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. We have a new coach, and it's a work in progress. We have experienced players in the team, like myself, Rama (Ramahlwe Mphahlele), and we will have to try all we can to lead by example. We are not perfect, but I think the experience in our team and the coach's tactics will help the team. We also haven't scored goals and the technical staff has been working on our finishing.
WM: Mido, thanks for your time and good luck going forward.
GM: Thank you very much.
GEORGE MALULEKA FACT FILE
Full name: George Nyiko Maluleka
Date of birth: 7 January 1989
Place of birth: Tembisa, Gauteng
Nicknames: Mido
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: 12
Club: AmaZulu FC
Previous clubs: Kempton Park FC (amateur), University of Pretoria juniors, University of Pretoria, SuperSport United University of Pretoria (on loan), Ajax Cape Town, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Honours: 2008/09 League winner (with SuperSport), 2014 MTN8 winner, 2014/15 League winner (both with Chiefs), 2019/20 League winner, 2019/20 Nedbank Cup winner, 2020/21 League winner, 2021 MTN8 winner, 2021/22 League winner (all with Sundowns), 4 national U20 caps, 6 Bafana Bafana caps
