CAPE TOWN – George Maluleka says he will push himself to the limit to get more game time for Kaizer Chiefs after starring in the 2-0 win over Free State Stars.
Maluleka had been on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and may have wondered if he will get a real chance at the Amakhosi following a number of off-season arrivals at Naturena.
But the former Bafana Bafana midfielder showed his class with a Man-of-the-Match display at Goble Park in Bethlehem.
Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas made seven changes to the team that beat Cape Town City 4-1 last Saturday, with Maluleka one of the beneficiaries of the rotation policy.
He repaid his coach’s faith in him handsomely, and now is hoping to carry on with his good form.
“(Competition for places) It gets tough, but also, it’s very good for the team because it gives you give your best all the time. If there’s competition, it’s good for the next guy. So, we will push ourselves to the limit,” Maluleka told SuperSport TV.
He added on the Chiefs website: “It feels great to be back. I am glad to have contributed to the team’s good performance. I am satisfied with my performance.
“I’m very happy about receiving the Man of the Match award. It just shows that the guys had my back from the beginning.
“I can definitely still improve, considering this is my first match in three months. I dedicate this award to the entire team.”
Next up for the Amakhosi is AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening (6pm kickoff), and Maluleka knows that they have to be consistent if they hope to be in the title race after three trophyless seasons under Steve Komphela.
“This win (over Stars) is very important. We were really eager to get the three points. We knew it was going to be a very difficult match, but we showed quality as a collective. I am happy we bagged the three points,” he said.
“We have a lot to offer. It’s been a difficult three years or so, and we want to make sure that we make things right this coming season.”
Congratulations to Absa Man of the Match: @GeorgeMaluleka #HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life #AbsaPrem pic.twitter.com/dFcTh83hYE
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 18, 2018
@ashfakmohamed