Maluleke’s SuperSport United role explained

The 40-year-old returns to the Tshwane outfit nearly a decade after leaving and retiring, but will now work closely with coach Gavin Hunt and the rest of the backroom staff to give back what he was so good at.

“I just feel we need a little bit more specialised concentration on that [set pieces], so I want to get him in through the club. He’s going to take the U19 team,” Hunt explained. 

SuperSport is the one Premier Soccer League club good at making room for their veterans and legends, and the coach is also taking charge of that. 

“I am trying to get former players back in the club. That’s what I’ve always done – we did it at Wits and here at SuperSport the first time. I will try to get in ex-players, but they’ve obviously got to have the right credentials and attitude.” 

Maluleke was one of the most notable free-kick takers during his playing career and a bulk of his 11 goals from the 103 games he featured in for Matsatsantsa were from set plays.

“We are going to use him through the age groups about getting the technique right and striking the ball – and he was one of the best. The first week he worked with us we scored three goals from set-pieces against Sekhukhune, but it doesn’t always work like that. It’s been a bit innovative with the view of him taking the team in the youth set-up,” Hunt concluded