Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi has shed light on club legend Surprise Moriri’s influence on Tashreeq Matthews’ game.
Matthews is, arguably, coach Miguel Cardoso’s most trusted player, featuring in all Sundowns’ 27 Betway Premiership matches this season. In those games, the winger has managed to score six goals while also weighing in with four assists.
He has, however, contributed just one goal in 11 CAF Champions League matches and could not find the back of the net in five cup games. In the outings, the former Borussia Dortmund youth player does not score; he has endured criticism.
But Vilakazi sees Matthews contributing in those matches by making runs that create spaces for fellow attackers.
Arriving at Sundowns in January 2024 after spending close to six years in Europe plying his trade in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, Matthews has shown traits of a player who completed his development phase in strong football systems.
The speedy wideman grabbed a beautiful goal when Masandwana beat Polokwane City FC 3-0 last Sunday. Vilakazi runs through Matthews’ goal, which saw him beat a defender to cut in, before sending in a curler that gave Rise and Shine goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula no chance.
MATTHEWS’ QUALITIES EXAMINED BY VILAKAZI
“I think sometimes you are judged solely on that final moment. You don’t get credit for the work done in between, such as the specific movements we try to make,” Vilakazi said on the Mamelodi Sundowns Pitchside Podcast.
“He makes runs specifically to create space, but sometimes people don’t notice that. Everyone focuses on the final action, where you often just happen to be the last person to strike the ball.
“Take that goal against Polokwane City, for instance. Prior to that, he had already made two excellent runs. For me, this recent performance is a build-up from the turning point of that goal.
“It’s a result of the time he has spent practising cutting inside and perfecting that curled finish. It was so clinical that, for me, it was a ‘this is it’ moment.”
While still marvelling and detailing Matthews’ goal, Vilakazi explains the role played by Sundowns development coach Moriri in shaping Matthews.
THE WIND BENEATH MATTHEWS’ WINGS REVEALED
“I was waiting, especially for that one-on-one. I was like, ‘This has to be the moment, Matthews; this has to be your moment.’ For me, this was the time to see what you have been doing in practice, and it came out beautifully,” Vilakazi continued.
“If he had missed that, I would have said I don’t know which version of him you were going to get. For me, just to make that run shows great effort.
“It’s about commitment; he recognised that this was the moment he has been working so hard for behind the scenes with Surprise [Moriri]. He’s been trying to work on that finishing because I have seen him stay behind with Surprise a couple of times, practising getting into those positions from the right side, cutting in, and curling it.”
Even the January arrival of Monnapule Saleng has not challenged Matthews to limit his game time, even though the former Orlando Pirates star’s time at Sundowns has been hampered by fitness issues. However, should Saleng regain full fitness and hit top form, that might push Matthews to further improve on his game and remain a Masandawana regular starter.
RELATED STORY: Kekana explains Tashreeq Matthews’ strength that fans are missing