Polokwane City FC head coach Phuti Mohafe has issued an update on talented defender Thabang Matuludi following his long absence from competitive football.
Rise and Shine began the 2025/26 season on a disappointing note after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 quarter-final at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
PLK City conceded two goals in the first-half from their former player Oswin Appollis and Patrick Maswanganyi. The highly-rated winger left Polokwane City in the current transfer window to join Pirates, who beat rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns to his signature.
Polokwane City struggled to impose themselves against the Sea Robbers, looking vulnerable in defence and failing to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Limpopo-based side was without the services of their key defender Matuludi, who has been sidelined by an injury.
The 26-year-old last featured for PLK City on the 17th of January 2025 against SuperSport United in the Betway Premiership.
PHUTI MOHAFE REVEALS THAT MATULUDI IS YET TO RECOVER FROM INJURY
Mohafe has provided an injury update on Matuludi, who has been on the radar of Chiefs and Pirates after his impressive breakthrough in the 2023/24 season.
“We still have injuries in the club, we have injuries to Matuludi, [Tlou] Nkwe, and [Hlayisi] Chauke,” Mohafe said at Orlando Stadium.
“They are still struggling to recover, but we hope that players like Matuludi will be back soon. As for other players that were not available today [Saturday], is because there are players we have released, and Lucky Baloyi is one of them.”
The Limpopo-born right-back Matuludi also got recognition from the Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, and he has formed part of the team in recent months.
In the previous campaign, Matuludi featured in 14 appearances across all competitions. He scored two goals and chipped in with one assist.
Polokwane City will be hoping to get Matuludi back to full fitness to compete in other competitions after crashing out of the MTN8.
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