It’s all about the mindset – Maluleka
It’s all about the mindset – Maluleka

Posted in Club News, News, Team News on Feb 17, 2017.

“It will be a difficult game,” George ‘Mido’ Maluleka says about Saturday’s clash against Highlands Park, “but we will be looking for a positive result. It’s all about the mindset.”

Amakhosi will host the Lions of the North at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening, 18 February (kick-off is at 18:00).

Kaizer Chiefs beat Highlands Park 1-0 on the road back in September, thanks to George Lebese’s match winning goal.

Maluleka was selected as the Man of the Match for his excellent performance that day. It was his first this season. Since, the midfielder won the Man of the Match awards for Amakhosi’s last two league matches against Free State Stars (3-1 win) and Maritzburg United (2-1 win).

‘Mido’ has been in excellent form since moving to number ‘8’, playing just in front of midfield anchor, Willard Katsande.

“I enjoy playing at the number ‘8’ position,” Maluleka admits. “However, my good form also has a lot to do with the guidance I get from Katsande. He has been tremendous. He talks so much to me during the 90 minutes. To be honest, he shouts at me!”

Maluleka is modest about having already won the Man of the Match award three times this season. “I was lucky to be selected for these games, as a couple of the guys performed very well too in our last two wins, including Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Willard.”

Chiefs have started 2017 with two wins, following two wins just before the festive season and the Africa Cup of Nations break. The Glamour Boys are now unbeaten for five games in a row.

“Not much has changed,” Maluleka looks back on the time that Amakhosi drew too many games earlier in the season. “It’s just that our mindset has taken a different direction. The mindset is now more positive. We also have a clearer understanding of what we want to achieve.”

The 28-year-old also adds that the squad worked on a few things during the break, especially on becoming more diverse in the way they play.

Maluleka has started in 14 (out of 17) league games this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

He’s looking forward to Saturday’s home match in Durban against Highlands Park. “We always enjoy playing in Durban,” the midfielder confesses. “Both teams will be eying three points on Saturday. It will be tough. It will be XI against XI. However, we will work hard to get the result and make a statement.”

Details:

Absa Premiership Fixture

Kaizer Chiefs vs Highlands Park

Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium

Kick-off: 18:00

Ticketing: Computicket, at R60

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