A PSL midfielder has explained why he has taken a salary cut after turning down offers from other clubs interested in his services.
Midfielder Wiseman Maluleka has decided to stay with Black Leopards after the club was relegated from the DStv Premiership in May.
The 29-year-old signed a three-year contract when he joined Lidoda Duvha from Polokwane City before the start of the 2020/21 but has now revealed to the Siya crew that he has taken a salary cut of about R5 000, despite receiving offers from other top-flight clubs. He parted ways with City before clubs went into a bio-bubble to finish off the 2019/2020 campaign.
"The difference is about 5k (R5000). It does not make a huge difference," Maluleka tells the Siya crew.
"Remember the issue of the bio-bubble? When I was at Polokwane City and it affected everyone. The chairman (David Thidiela) was paying me when I was at home, so I felt like I owe it to him (to stay at Leopards). He was good to me during bad times and I felt that I have to be good to him when things are not going well for the club.
"I had good offers from other teams, but I felt I should go down with the team and try help them come back. If it works, then great. If it doesn't, then that's when we can try to see how we go forward.
"I am one person who prays in terms of trying to get guidance. I have been in football for 11 years and proper game-time in those 11 years was rare. I can say in those 11 years I got proper game-time for four or five years. So, I feel getting that game-time now, I just need to build on it and see how it goes. As much as they say loyalty does not pay, I am not in a situation where I am too desperate for money. I have saved enough through the years.
"I want to enjoy game-time, rather than being in the stands and watching my peers play. I want to be in the field as much as I can. I have never changed my lifestyle while playing in the PSL. It's not like I was living a certain lifestyle, so it's not like I will struggle now that I have taken a salary cut. I will be living the same normal life I was living. My family knows what matters most is happiness. They can see that I am happy and they value my happiness more than money."
Story by @T_Mailwane
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