Thabang Matuludi’s Sundowns debut earns praise from Thabo Nthethe

Thabo Nthethe believes Thabang Matuludi already looks fully settled at Mamelodi Sundowns after watching the right-back impress on his debut at Loftus Versfeld.

The former Polokwane City defender started last Saturday’s Africa-Asian Pacific Cup match against Saudi club Al Ahli and capped an assured performance by providing the assist for the winning goal. Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos headed in Matuludi’s delivery.

Nthethe said Matuludi’s display suggested he had been part of the Sundowns squad for much longer than one game.

“Top player. Even in his first game this past weekend, I was at the stadium and the boy was something else. It’s like he has been at Sundowns for some time now. You could not tell that he is a new player in the team,” Nthethe told Soccer Laduma.

“He was expressing himself the same way he used to at Polokwane City and I can say he played well. It’s probably the way he has been welcomed him to the team.”

The former South Africa defender also believes Matuludi’s arrival could increase competition for the right-back position when Khuliso Mudau returns from the injury he suffered early in the season against Marumo Gallants.

Matuludi is part of the Bafana Bafana squad for the forthcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, to be played this Saturday and next Wednesday respectively.

“He is part of the Bafana Bafana. With Mudau being out, it’s going to be an exciting challenge, especially when Mudau comes back,” Nthethe said.

“It will be good competition between them in the team.”

Sundowns already have several other options in the position, with Deano van Rooyen, Thapelo Morena and Zuko Mdunyelwa also available at right-back.

That depth means the position is one of the most competitive areas in the Sundowns squad, with Matuludi now having made an immediate impression after moving from Polokwane City.

Bafana Bafana are also scheduled to face Egypt in an international friendly on October 4.