Maluleka's 15 minutes of playing time, Sundowns fate: 'Selection is made on merit!'

Industrial midfielder George Maluleka has played a mere 15 minutes of football for Mamelodi Sundowns during the current 2021/22 campaign.

There has been growing concerns that the former Kaizer Chiefs star will continue to see his football career dwindle as Masandawana are always spending on luring players to Chloorkop to grow their squad - and have continued to do so since Maluleka arrived in 2020.

The recent signing of Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokwena and veteran attacking midfielder Surprise Ralani further places the 33-year-old down the selection pecking order.

Speaking to the media ahead of Masandawana's Nedbank Cup Round of 16 clash against Mathaithai FC on Tuesday, co-coach Rulani Mokwena revealed the club's selection process for the starting XI.

He also urged Maluleka to remain patient for his opportunity.

"The reality is that the selection is made on merit, and we try to reward players who deserve to play.

"We have been doing some rotation in the past couple of weeks, and we will put out the best team today because we would not want to weaken it," said Mokwena.

"He's available for selection. George is a football player, and like every other footballer, he wants to be on the pitch and has come very close to being part of the line-up in several games and making the 18-man squad.

"He has to be patient in the same way that Brian Onyango was. Mothobi Mvala had to show a lot of patience, and we can say the same about Devine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba," he continued.

"The reality is that when you have a squad like this, you have to try and push yourself, and that is what George has been doing.

"He has done the most difficult thing that a footballer can do, and that is to come to training, work extremely hard, put a smile on