Tashreeq Matthews: From Europe to CAF Final with Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Tashreeq Matthews has highlighted his return to South Africa as a pivotal decision in his career. At 24, Matthews joined Sundowns after a successful stint in Sweden, where he scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 33 matches for IK Sirius. His transfer to the South African club was reportedly valued at €1.5 million.

Reflecting on his journey, Matthews stated, “Coming back was a difficult decision but at the end of the day, coming back to the best team in South Africa and winning trophies, and being in the Champions League final says a lot.” He further noted that while he earned individual accolades in Europe, his current success is shared with his team.

Since joining Sundowns, Matthews has become an essential player, contributing 12 goals and eight assists. The upcoming first leg final against Pyramids will mark his 50th appearance for the club. Addressing concerns about his physique, Matthews explained that many footballers share similar builds and emphasized the importance of knowing how to use one’s body effectively on the field.

Matthews also shared insights into his versatility on the pitch, having played various positions throughout his development as a footballer.