Posted in Cool News, Features, News on May 20, 2018.
- George Maluleka was born in Tembisa Township, east of Johannesburg. He has two older sisters. “I’m the last born in my family and love it,” says the midfielder.
- Just like many players from most townships, he started playing football with friends in the streets using a plastic ball while growing up in Tembisa. This is where his nickname Spijo which later became Mido started.
- Maluleka was at a variety of youth academies, including Tuks, SuperSport United and Ajax.
- In 2008, he won a gold medal with the Under 20 national team coached by Serame Letsoaka at the COSAFA Youth Championship, hosted in Kimberley.
- He was part of the team that represented South Africa at the Under 20 World Cup in 2009 in Egypt.
- George started as playing as a striker but was later transformed to a midfielder by former Ajax coach, Foppe de Haan. “I scored many goals as a striker but one day there were a number of defenders who were out injured, so the coach asked me to assist and I did well. I later moved to the midfield and that’s been my position ever since.
- He enjoys different genres of music and his car was once featured in a A-Reece’s music video.
- When not playing football, he spends time working out in the gym or entertaining himself at home on his PlayStation.
- He recently got married and says it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made. “I love the married life and would advise my peers to follow suit.”
- George is friends with Itumeleng Khune, former KC players George Lebese and Lehlohonolo Majoro.
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