Polokwane City FC defender Thabang Matuludi has detailed his football journey, where he started as a winger playing for his school teachers’ club in Jane Furse, Limpopo.
Matuludi has been one of the most sought-after right-backs in the Betway Premiership after his performances last season.
He was also rewarded with a call-up to the Bafana Bafana 2024 COSAFA CUP squad. But it was at Kgahlanamorulana secondary school in the Sekhukhune District where it all started for the 25-year-old.
HOW THABANG MATULUDI WAS RECRUITED TO PURSUE HIS FOOTBALL JOURNEY
“My teacher Lux Malaka recruited me to his team playing in the Local Football Association [LFA] when I was 17,” Matuludi told FARPost.
“I was just playing for my school at that time. So, I played for his team for one and a half seasons. I then moved to King Born FC for a season and a half.”
Matuludi was then signed by Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side The Dolphins in 2019 where he also won the provincial championship. In all the clubs he played as either a left or a right-winger.
He explains how, in one of the matches, he had to cover as a right-back and has never looked back.
“I was still under 23 at that time, so when we went to the [ABC Motsepe National] playoffs, our regular right-back was taken off, and I had to move to his position,” he explained.
HOW THE MOVE TO BETWAY PREMIERSHIP SIDE POLOKWANE CITY CAME ABOUT
“So after the playoffs, we had a friendly match against Polokwane City, and I was playing as a right back. Clinton Larsen and Willy Moloto were the coaches at that time, and they told me they were impressed. So Polokwane signed me as a right-back.”
The 25-year-old has been part of the Rise and Shine side since 2021 while they were still in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
“I have played in almost all the matches since I arrived here. The games that I have played are because I was suspended.”
“I am not really surprised by the recognition from football fans. For me, it just means that I should continue to work hard and believe that one day I will prosper.
“Obviously, as a player, you would want to play at the highest level and go abroad. But at the end of the day, you need to make money and nothing else.”
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