Polokwane City boss Moloto plays down Matuludi absence

Polokwane City head coach Willy Moloto says Thabang Matuludi’s recent absence is not linked to transfer speculation or a serious injury, insisting the defender will get his opportunity as the season progresses.

Matuludi has been linked with a move to Orlando Pirates but has not yet played for Rise and Shine in the new campaign. He missed Polokwane City’s opening match through suspension before being left out of the squad for their MTN8 quarter-final defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 24-year-old was also absent from Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Stellenbosch FC, prompting questions about whether his omission was connected to the reported interest from Orlando Pirates.

Moloto, however, said there was no major issue behind the decision and explained that he wanted to maintain stability in a side that had been performing well.

“There no such. Every time when people don’t see a player then this [rumours] – ‘no, no, no’,” he replied when asked about Matuludi’s absence by iDiski Times.

The coach added that Matuludi had recently been involved with Bafana Bafana and had suffered a knock during training. He also pointed to the form of the players who had been selected in his place.

“Remember, Matuludi also was with Bafana Bafana, and he also got some knock in training and the team has been doing well.

“So sometimes there is no need for you – if it’s not broken, why do you have to fix it?

“For him, he’ll get his chance. There are a lot of games, let’s give a youngster a chance. He did well, even though he had some mistake in the first half but he managed to equalise for us and he managed to stabilise at the back for us.

“The aim is also to introduce new players, because if we keep on saying ‘Thabang, Thabang’… Tomorrow Thabang is not available, who are we going to use?”

Moloto was then asked whether Matuludi’s absence should be viewed as squad rotation or an injury-related decision. He said the situation was primarily about preserving continuity after Polokwane City’s recent result.

“It’s not about rotation – remember the firs game Matuludi was suspended. When he came back, we just came back from a win,” he added.

“So we cannot change a team from a win. And look at us, we played Sundowns and we did well. I just have to say let me have a continuity in the team.

“And it has to come up to freshen up the team, maybe who knows I might use him over the weekend.”

Matuludi has therefore remained on the sidelines despite returning from suspension, with Moloto emphasising that the defender remains part of his plans. The coach said Polokwane City face a long campaign and that opportunities will come as he seeks to develop greater depth within the squad.

Moloto’s comments also suggest that Matuludi could return to contention in the club’s next fixture, although no decision has been confirmed.