Matthews targets MTN8 glory after breakthrough Bafana Bafana debut

Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Tashreeq Matthews says he is determined to build on his recent progress by helping the club win the MTN8, after earning his first South Africa cap in a 1–0 friendly victory over Egypt in Cairo.

Matthews has become an important figure for Sundowns, whose campaign has already brought success in the CAF Champions League and the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup. The 2025 CAF Champions League winners will now face Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s MTN8 final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The quick and technically gifted attacker has also benefited from the backing of Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso. Cardoso continued to select Matthews during a period when his form was questioned and rejected suggestions that the player was receiving preferential treatment.

“I am not Tashreeq’s father as people keep saying… I deal with performance,” Cardoso said.

Matthews, who was previously with Borussia Dortmund, said he had learned to manage the doubts that can arise when opportunities are limited.

“When you are not playing a lot, doubt can creep into your head, but it’s all up to you as a person and player how you let these things affect you,” he said.

“If you don’t, and continue working hard, doing your best, whether you score or assist, it’s just important to keep helping the team win.

“Whether you play or don’t, as long as you work hard and keep yourself motivated, that’s the most important thing.”

The 2025 CAF Champions League final had been a difficult moment for Matthews after he missed a significant chance in a match Sundowns ultimately lost. However, he responded in the following campaign with a decisive contribution against AS FAR.

His assist in the second leg of a 1–1 draw in Tunisia helped Sundowns secure a 2–1 aggregate victory and confirm their status as continental champions.

Matthews said he had refused to allow criticism from outside the club to affect his performances.

“I don’t really look at what the outside world says,” he said. “You see it, of course, but I don’t really let it affect me. I have been through that before, so I don’t allow it to affect me.

“If I score or assist, that’s that. As long as the team is winning or doing well, I am satisfied.”

His call-up by Bafana Bafana provided further confirmation of his progress, but Matthews said his priority now was to continue contributing for Sundowns.

“I am very grateful and motivated,” he said. “I would like to continue from where I left off before I went to Bafana now that I’m back.”

Sundowns last won the MTN8 in 2021, and victory over Orlando Pirates would end their wait for another title in the competition. Matthews said the squad’s desire to win had been strengthened by the friendly exchanges between the clubs’ players during international duty.

“We are motivated. It’s the final. Whenever we play against any team, we want to win,” he said. “Whenever we are at Bafana, we are around each other a lot, so we are motivated a lot.”