Former Sundowns Captain Tips Tashreeq Matthews For Late Bafana World Cup Squad Spot

Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain, Thabo Nthethe, believes 25-year-old forward Tashreeq Matthews could be the surprise addition to the Bafana Bafana 2026 FIFA World Cup squad tomorrow, courtesy of his European and CAF Champions League experience.

Call For Matthews

While many rightfully praised Teboho Mokoena for his stunning goal against AS FAR in Morocco to hand Mamelodi Sundowns their second CAF Champions League title on Sunday, former Sundowns captain Thabo Nthethe was particularly impressed by 25-year-old Tashreeq Matthews.

Matthews delivered the assist in the stoppage time of the first half, expertly chipping the ball over the defenders to Mokoena, who in turn saw to it that Sundowns went to the half-time interval with the score level, 1-1.

Sundowns would go on to secure the one-all draw, winning the match 2-1 on aggregate courtesy of a 1-0 victory at home the preceding week.

Nthethe believes that, given the pressure of the final, which was broadcast in over 100 territories including new markets such as Japan, South Korea and China, Matthews is ready for international football.

Nthethe highlighted the youngster’s European experience as the 25-year-old was recruited by German giants, Borussia Dortmund, at the tender age of 18.

“I feel Matthews could get that (Bafana) call-up. That boy played very well on Sunday. He's actually been playing well for Mamelodi Sundowns, but on Sunday you could see the experience and hunger that he has,” Nthethe told SportBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

“He can be part of the Bafana Bafana squad, and I think he can make a big difference. He hasn't gotten a call-up since he joined Mamelodi Sundowns last season. I think at the right time it will come. But now, the World Cup is 16 days away, and the boy has played in Europe before. He's got that experience." 

“Now he's been playing CAF Champions League. The experience is there. He's been playing regularly at Sundowns. He's got minutes, and a lot of minutes on his feet.”

CAF Triumph

On Sunday, Sundowns became the first South African team to win more than one CAF Champions League title, surpassing Orlando Pirates.

The victory was not only for Mamelodi Sundowns and their supporters, but also for the country at large, as South African football flexed its muscle on the biggest stage on the continent.

Nthethe reckons that Bafana Bafana will be treated with respect on the back of Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance in the CAF Champions League.

“It means a lot (for South Africa). I think it also came at the right time, where the World Cup is coming, and a South African team has been crowned as African champions,” said Nthethe. 

“So, it means the world will watch Bafana Bafana knowing that there's a local team called Mamelodi Sundowns that won the Champions League." 

“I think it is going to boost the South African football lovers going into the World Cup. I think more people now are going to go and support Bafana Bafana because of what Sundowns achieved on Sunday night." 

“I was also so impressed when I listened to the radio. Even the Kaizer Chiefs supporters were calling on the show and saying they are so proud. You could see that this trophy meant a lot to South Africa." 

“Sundowns lifted South African football to say we are also here, we can play football, and we can do this. Now it came at the right time that the World Cup is coming.”

Cardoso Avoids Axe

When Miguel Cardoso took over Mamelodi Sundowns last season and failed to win the CAF Champions League, fans around the country were furious.

The frustration from fans only worsened when the coach reiterated that the club’s fans had somewhat unrealistic expectations, insisting that winning the local league last season should have been satisfactory for the fans.

As a result, there were talks that the coach could be sacked as he seemed to struggle to grasp what the fans of the club believed they should achieve, which is winning the CAF Champions League.

With Cardoso having achieved the feat in Rabat on Sunday, Nthethe believes that he has cemented his place as head coach for the foreseeable future.

“I think the coach has done well. I mean, for him to win the Champions League, despite not making it to the local league where Sundowns have been dominating. The Chairman has been wanting to win this, and I'm pretty sure that his job is safe now,” he said. 

“He can plan now when they close. He can go home and plan for the next season with his technical team; they've done well. So, I foresee him building up what he has now ahead of next season." 

“Coach Pitso used to say, ‘I strengthen my team each and every season.’ So somewhere, somehow, you'll see a few players leaving the team. It's that time where they're trying to get players that can come and play a big role on the team," he concluded.