Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena has praised midfielder George Maluleka for always showing a good and positive attitude at training despite the continuous lack of game time.
Maluleka has only featured 16 times in all competitions for the Brazilians since his much-publicized move from Kaizer Chiefs in 2020.
Speaking ahead of their Nedbank Cup round of 16 match against Mathaithai scheduled for Tuesday, Mokwena says Maluleka plays a huge role within their change room.
“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,” he said.
“That is very difficult but George does that consistently and that just 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,” added Mokwena.
“But of course, George is a football player, 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 (Shalulile) 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.”
