A former PSL top goal scorer has recently been elected to serve in the SAFA leadership role in his home province.
This comes as more ex-South African professional players are encouraged to plough back with the experience they gained during their playing days.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Jomo Cosmos striker Ishmael Maluleke has now been elected as a chairperson of the SAFA greater Giyani municipality, which is under the Mopani Region in Limpopo.
The 45-year-old also runs a football academy in the same area for ages of five to 19. He is also a commentator at SABC Radio station Munghana Lonene FM.
WHAT THE SAFA LEADERSHIP ROLE MEANS FOR ISHMAEL MALULEKE
There is no better ambition than to serve your football even at the national level,” Maluleke told FARPost.
“As a person, once you are at the regional level you want to grow to be at the national level because we believe that we can also contribute something to the national level.
“More especially because football begins within a school environment. So, my role is more focused on school sports because that is where more talent is.
“It gives a different side of leadership because sometimes, in as much as it’s good to be led by anybody who is in sports, it is also good to be led by people with experience and who have played football. They do have an understanding of what players need or how players feel. So that is where we want to be involved in football,” he said.
EX-PSL TOP GOAL SCORER CAREER CUT SHORT
Maluleke won the PSL top goal scorer award while at Manning Rangers in the 2001/02 season. He scored 18 goals. His performances led to his big move to Mamelodi Sundowns where he spent just two seasons.
He has also played for teams such as AmaZulu and Thanda Royal Zulu. Maluleke was forced to retire in 2008 due to an Achilles tendon injury.
RELATED STORY: FIFA reveal date for SAFA’s Women’s World Cup bid fate
