Maluleka’s contract with the Amakhosi expired last Tuesday and Chiefs decided against offering him a short term contract until the end of the suspended season.
READ: Maluleka should be playing in Europe, says ex-Chiefs and Sundowns star
“It is an opportunity for boys like Ntshangase. It is up to them now to raise their hand and say, ‘Wow, there’s an opportunity, I want to grab it’,” Khumalo told IOL.
“I’m not saying the departure of George will create automatic opportunities but this is a chance for some of the players to raise their hands and come to the party.”
Chiefs’ decision to release Maluleka despite the season still being unfinished raise a lot of eyebrows, but Khumalo believes that Amakhosi would not have released the midfielder if they did not have a plan.
“I believe that they wouldn’t have allowed George to leave now if they didn’t have a plan to proceed with their title challenge without his services.
“They are on the verge of winning the league and I’m sure such a decision was well thought out.”
When the season was suspended in mid-March because of the coronavirus outbreak, Chiefs were on top the Premiership log with 48 points from 22 matches. They led second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns by four points, but the Brazilians had played a game less than Amakhosi.
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