Mamelodi Sundowns surprised many in the January transfer window and brought Tashreeq Matthews back home from Swedish side IK Sirius Fotboll.
A lot was made at the time of the exact reasons why the player returned, but he unveils it all and harbouring Bafana Bafana ambitions had a lot to do with it.
Matthews graduated from then Ajax Cape Town academy and joined Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund as a youth player before going to Sweden’s Helsingborgs IF, Varbergs Bols and Sirius.
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He hasn’t struggled to acclimatize in the new surroundings but fitted well whenever called upon despite the fact that he had never played in the South African top flight before.
Since arriving, the 23-year-old has found the net four times and starred in the demolishing of Kaizer Chiefs last week, bagging a brace in the 5-1 thumping which secured them the title and his first piece of silverware too.
“A lot of the players playing in the national team are playing in South Africa and a lot of them are being selected from the league so for me, I feel like it’s much more closer for me than the time I was in Europe,” Matthews told Marawa Sports Worldwide.
In years past, South African players returning from Europe back home have been heavily criticised and slammed for a ‘lack of ambition’ to compete amongst the best the world has to offer.
The likes of Kermit Erasmus, Mandla Masango, Tefu Mashamaite, Bongani Khumalo, Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu to mention but a few haven’t managed to prolong their stay abroad.
With qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup around the corner and Bafana to face Nigeria and Zimbabwe next month, it’s had Matthews itching at the prospect.
His only other appearance in the national colours was for the under-20s back in September 2017 against England in a friendly match and scored on debut in the 2-1 loss.
“Also, for every player not just for me but for every player around the world, they would like to represent their nation. So, it means a lot for every player out there just to represent the national team. It’s exciting for me and every other player.
“I’m sure every other player wishes to be there as well. So, it’s exciting for every footballer just to be at that stage,” Matthews said.
More action awaits the Cape Town-born in the business end of the campaign, as Masandawana host Royal AM in the DStv Premiership on Saturday.
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