George Malulek during the 2019 Nedbank semifinal game between Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 20 April 2019 © Deryck Foster/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs: Middendorp eager for Maluleka to seal Naturena stay
Ersnt MIddendorp has highlighted the importance of consistency in urging Kaizer Chiefs and George Maluleka to reach an agreement on a contract extension.
George Malulek during the 2019 Nedbank semifinal game between Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 20 April 2019 © Deryck Foster/BackpagePix
Speaking after a 1-0 Soweto Derby win Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp urged George Maluleka to commit his future to the club.
Middendorp considers the midfielder to be part of the core of the team and feels that it is a priority to keep the midfielder at Naturena.
Maluleka is wanted at Kaizer Chiefs
Maluleka was in the engine room as Kaizer Chiefs not only beat but outplayed Orlando Pirates in the derby but Middendorp said you didn’t need to see performances like that to grasp the importance of keeping the core together.
Kaizer Chiefs have recontracted most of that core with derby goalscorer Lebogang Manyama, skipper Willard Katsande an key central defender Daniel Cardoso all extending their contracts beyond the current campaign.
“As you can see, core players, the likes of George Maluleka, Daniel Cardoso, you can identify as a coach who doesn’t know what to do very often. It is very crucial for us to have this consistency. You can say, where’s a plan B or a C, or plan D or E. this is putting the core together – sticking to George and Lebogang, even if they had games where it was not like this today. These are the crucial guys,” Middendorp told the press after Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 win on Saturday afternoon.
Others will have to wait
Middendorp said that fringe players would have to wait for their opportunity with Kaizer Chiefs caught up in a very competitive PSL title race.
Chiefs extended their advantage over Pirates and would probably have been pleased that Bidvest Wits, who have two games in hand, lost to fourth place Supersport United.
Middendorp isn’t just concerned with the title tilt this season though as he looks to build a team that can dominate domestic football over several years.
“Sorry for some players who have to wait a little bit in the moment, not coming really in to it – but I think one of the most important parameter to how we are dealing with the season is that we have consistency in terms of our set-up and core players.
“For us, it is each and everybody, therefore I hope that George’s contract is wrapped up as quick as possible and get the final discussions done, he is very crucial for Kaizer Chiefs – a number of players.”
Kaizer Chiefs next assignment will be to host bottom-of-the-table Amazulu on Saturday 7 March.
