Mamelodi Sundowns latest: Maluleka always smiling at training – Rhulani

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena has showered George Maluleka with praise despite the midfielder’s lack of game time.

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Maluleka has featured just once for the Brazilians this season – his overall appearances since joining the Tshwane giants from Kaizer Chiefs sit at 16 across all competitions.

However, Maluleka remains an important player to Sundowns, at least, according to Mokwena who said the player’s experience is valuable in the change room.

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Mokwena said Maluleka has continued to probably do the most difficult thing a professional player can ever do by coming to training everyday with a smile on his face.

The Sundowns mentor said Maluleka is still a professional and he works hard at training to stand a chance to be given a chance to play.

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Furthermore, Mokwena revealed that Maluleka was, on several occasions, very close to breaking into the Sundowns starting line-up.

However, he didn’t reveal if the former Amakhosi and SuperSport United star will get a chance to play regularly any time soon, saying Maluleka just needs to show the same level of patience he has shown thus far.

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Mokwena added that Maluleka can learn from the likes of Brian Onyango, Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba among other players who had to be patient before being given a chance at Sundowns.

And he hopes Maluleka can grab the chance with both hands when he’s finally given a place in the Sundowns starting line-up.

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SMILING MALULEKA TOLD TO BE PATIENT AT SUNDOWNS

“George has done probably the most difficult thing that a football player can ever do and that is to come to training every single day, be professional, work extremely hard, put a smile on your face, and even when you know that there is a huge possibility that you might not make the squad,” Mokwena told the media.

“That is very difficult but George does that consistently, and that goes to show the level of maturity, the level of experience and also the human being that he is so good things come to good people and if he continues to show that same attitude and hunger. I am sure when he gets the opportunity, he will be ready and he will grab it with both hands.

“He is always here at training with a smile working very hard. He is also available for selection and he is in a very good position. I mean, George is a senior player. George is a player that has achieved so much in football.”

“He is a player that we rely on a lot in our changing room. The experience that he has, the leadership qualities that he possesses in terms of mentoring, supporting and guiding the younger ones,” he continued.

“But of course, George is a football player, and like every football player, George wants to be on the pitch. He has come very close to being part of the starting line-up in several games.

“He has also come very close to making the 18-man squad for matches and being selected. So, I think he just has to be patient with the same level of patience that if you speak to a Brian Onyango, he had to show the same level of patience and look where he is now. Mothobi Mvala had to show a lot of patience look where he is now.

“You can say the same about Divine Lunga. He got an opportunity, he set up the third goal for Peter against TS Galaxy. Aubrey Modiba you could say the same,. So, it’s not just George but a lot of other players that are in that position,” concluded Mokwena.

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Maluleka might get a run when Sundowns take on minnows Mathaithai in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 on Tuesday, 8 March.

Kick-off at Lucas Moripe Stadium is at 18:00.

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