In his weekly column for Hollywoodbets Sports, George Maluleka finally reveals never-before-heard details on his headline-grabbing move to Mamelodi Sundowns from Kaizer Chiefs, while describing what it’s like to feature in a Soweto Derby.
In an unprecedented season disrupted for around three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mamelodi Sundowns clinched the league on the final day of the season ahead of Kaizer Chiefs, who had led the standings for 22 of the 30 rounds of fixtures and more than half of the season.
A chaotic 2019/20 season was also signified by the intense transfer rumours around my protracted move between the two title rivals, us being Chiefs and Sundowns.
Now, for the first time, I’d finally like to share all the details behind my move!
It was the Sundowns team doctor, who is a good friend of mine, from our days back at SuperSport United who called me to alert me to Sundowns’ interest in me.
The doctor gave me a call and told me that coach Pitso Mosimane had always been a long-time admirer of me as a player. That he had wanted to sign me since as long as way back in my Ajax Cape Town days.
He continued that coach Pitso had always wanted to work with me at Sundowns and now would finally be that perfect time.
I think at that time, Sundowns were trying to replace their club captain Hlompho Kekana, who was nearing the end of his career.
I let him know I was still contracted to Chiefs and had six months remaining on my current deal. I was of course available to negotiate with Kaizer Chiefs, but they were yet to approach me.
I was left with a bitter taste as Chiefs at the time had taken a long time to approach me to negotiate a new deal which played a big factor in my eventual decision.
I automatically had the thought process that our contract talks were all pointed to securing a deal for the next season, as I couldn’t have joined Sundowns at the time in any case. While at the same time thinking that I was left unsure by Chiefs as I didn’t know what my future with them would be.
Sundowns only first approached me in March, well after the conclusion of the January window.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chiefs, though, only approached me in March, as I mentioned before with my contract ending just three months later in June. 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.
Too little… too late as Kaizer Chiefs offer falls short
‘The offer I received from Chiefs was good, but Sundowns had the better offer with more years and money.
Although, Chiefs really did try, and they stretched their offer until Bobby told me that he could only do so much as the final decision was with those in the boardroom.
Bobby did try his level best because a lot of people put the blame on him.
I love this club, I support this club and captained the club. But my dad insisted that if my son was a key player, then you guys need to show it and at the moment you are not.
That’s how we parted ways, and Chiefs wished me all the best. I was ultimately left in a difficult position as I didn’t know if Sundowns would continue waiting.
I don’t know then how the club came to that conclusion but after that, I was no longer involved in the team for the rest of the season.
A lot of people say we lost the league because of me, but to that, I say this is a big club, and you can’t say one guy makes the team. Chiefs are a big club and for people to have been pointing at me is a bit unfair.
The public perception is that Sundowns tried to destabilise a title rival during a hotly contested title race.
I understand that view and get where everyone is coming from.
My answer is that… well, they tried, but still Chiefs had all the power.
Chiefs could have easily decided if that tactic could work against them or for them. They could have easily tied me up to a deal earlier, and then I felt like they refused to do whatever it took to keep me before throwing me under the bus.
Then, later, there were leaks to the media saying that Maluleka opted to join Sundowns that claimed that I wanted to leave.
Honoured and grateful to have played and captained in a Soweto derby
I’ll always be grateful and feel honoured to have captained and played in a Soweto derby. Everyone goes out there to showcase their talent, show how important they are to their team and how much of a big player they are.
Soweto derby day starts by waking up and heading out for a short 30-minute walk and stretching session. We’ll get up at 08:30 and have a walk then have breakfast after.
The players would then have downtime for about an hour or so before having our first team meeting at about 11:30.
The meeting would then go on for about 30 minutes and serve as your pre-match talk. It would involve a summary of the gameplan, what we’ve worked on during the week and your starting line-up.
We’ll then have our pre-match meal at around 13:00 before heading to the stadium.
From then on, it’s just music and visualising all the moves and scenarios that can happen in the game for you to go out there and play to the best of your abilities.
A derby game does not feel like any other league game, any previous results or form goes out the window.
You can literally go on a three-game winning streak and then lose on derby day.
Things can get frantic in a derby clash, and this is what the pre-match talk is for. When the coach remains everyone plays according to the plan and remains calm.
I will always remember the famous words by Steve Komphela where he would say… guys, play the game and not the occasion.
Don’t worry about the fans, remember we have a plan, and remember our tactics. We’re playing a match, and we know what to do to break our opponents down.
Remember the fans and that we’re playing for them, but at the same time, don’t try to do everything to just appease them.
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