Amazulu footballer shares road to success

Durban-based team Amazulu Football Club goes head to head with Orlando Pirates at the MTN8 finals today at 18:00. In the build-up to the game, Berea Mail chats to George Maluleka, the Amazulu midfielder who joined the club in July. We asked Maluleka about his journey to success from humble beginnings, and how he is developing his career as a professional South African soccer-club player.  

MALULEKA hails from Thembisa, a large township north of Kempton Park on Gauteng’s East Rand, and has played for several professional clubs across South Africa, including SuperSport United Football Club, Kaizer Chiefs Football Club, Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and Cape Town Spurs Football Club (formerly known as Ajax Cape Town).

“I was a striker before at my previous club, SuperSport United. I switched to midfielder when I was in Cape Town between 2009 and 2013. I think I chose the right position,” said the pro athlete.

Maluleka took up soccer at a young age, playing for Kempton Park Football Club at six years old and playing pro football as a matric learner at the age of 16. Initially, he played goalkeeper, following in his father’s footsteps.

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“My dad watched a lot of soccer, and I used to watch with him – that’s where my interest in football began. My dad, Samuel Maluleka, was a goalkeeper. When I started off, I was a keeper, too,” recalled Maluleka.

As a midfielder, Maluleka has developed his technical abilities.

“The goalkeeper isn’t as involved in the game. It’s more strategic. When you play in the midfield position, you are right in the action – you need to be very smart with your moves and have good technical abilities. Passing is very important, and you need to have good control of the ball. You need to master both short and long passes, and your technique needs to be on point to receive and pass the ball seamlessly,” he said.

Mastering midfield took dedication.

“I wasn’t very good at first, so I had to work on it. You need all the attributes to play this position – you need to know how to defend and attack,” said the athlete.

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While technique is important on the field, Maluleka said fitness is a crucial first step to success. The football player trains every day for about four hours.
“Fitness is where the foundation is built. Before you can even work on technique, fitness comes first. I do a lot of cardio, running every day, as well as core exercises at least twice a week in the gym. Through my training sessions on the field, I run the equivalent of a 15km distance – at least,” said Maluleka.

A highlight of his football career was when Maluleka represented his country at the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Port Elizabeth, in 2011, when he played for Ajax Cape Town FC.

“There are so many highlights, but representing my country has been at the top of the list. We played against Ivory Coast and drew. It was a great game,” said Maluleka.

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring footballers, Maluleka said, “Never give up. Always work hard. Discipline is the key to success.”