Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohafe has lauded the professionalism and
grounded nature of defender Thabang Matuludi, who has recently broken into
the Bafana Bafana setup.
Despite not yet making his international debut, Mohafe emphasized that the
26-year-old has handled the recognition with impressive maturity, keeping
his focus firmly on his club duties.
Speaking after his team’s narrow 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates, Mohafe
expressed his satisfaction with the defender’s mentality. “He’s very, very
much humble,” the coach stated. “In talking sense into his mind, [it’s] just
to remind him that he’s still a Polokwane City player… He has to first
give the performances that made him to be selected by giving better
performances in our team.”
Mohafe delivered a clear message about priorities, stressing that Matuludi’s
primary responsibility and source of success remains with his club.
“Playing for the national team doesn’t mean that his bread is buttered in
the national team. You need to know where you come from – and that is where
his bread is buttered, is Polokwane City,” Mohafe continued. “For him to be
in the national team is because of Polokwane City. For him to continue to be
there, he must give us the good performances here. National team, second.
Polokwane City, first.”
Since returning from injury, Matuludi has been a standout performer for Rise
and Shine. With his coach’s backing and a clear-headed approach, he appears
perfectly positioned to maintain the form that earned him national team
recognition and secure more international opportunities in the future.
