Retired Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana has offered an analysis of Thabang Matuludi’s seamless transition, highlighting the qualities that have allowed the right-back to fit into the club’s system like a glove.
Matuludi signed with Sundowns in the final stages of the previous transfer window, putting pen to paper on a long-term deal. The highly-rated defender arrived at Sundowns from Polokwane City FC, where he made a name for himself as one of the hottest talents in the Betway Premiership.
Masandawana beat strong competition from rivals Orlando Pirates to secure Matuludi’s signature, and the Tshwane giants have wasted no time in making him a key player. The Limpopo-born star has been a regular starter for Sundowns in recent matches, notably helping the club win the MTN8 and FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup in a matter of weeks.
So far, the 27-year-old has featured in eight appearances across all competitions for Sundowns, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
Following his flying start at Chloorkop, former Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana says Matuludi’s attacking explosiveness and defensive qualities make him a big asset for the reigning CAF Champions League winners.
KEKANA PRAISES MATULUDI’S EARLY IMPACT AT SUNDOWNS
“I think to come into a winning team with players as good as you are is not easy. You look at Matuludi playing as if he has already been at the club for years,” Hlompho Kekana said. “We have to credit Matuludi; you can tell that he was ready for the demands of this team. He’s playing at right back, which is a very complex position.
“You can tell that in some moments he has to improve and adapt to how the team defends, but he’s a player who hit the ground running, and you can tell that they trust him in that changing room.
“He’s coming out of his shell; that’s why he scored those two goals [against Durban City FC]. He’s comfortable in going into those attacking spaces; he knows when he’s in attack, someone will fill in for him at the back.
“I mean, he’s such a versatile player that I believe either right-back or centre-back, he’s comfortable enough. He fits very well in the philosophy of Mamelodi Sundowns. I think he can score a lot of goals if he’s more composed in that last third.”
Matuludi arrived at Sundowns under pressure to fill the void left by Bafana Bafana star Khuliso Mudau, who sustained a long-term injury earlier in the season.
As a result of his impressive form at Sundowns, Matuludi has remained a regular feature in Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana squad. The right-footed defender will now look to play a major role in helping South Africa secure maximum points in back-to-back 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Kenya over the coming days.
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