Head coach Jose Makhanya has explained the surprise appearance of long-awaited signing Azola Matrose for Orlando Pirates’ reserves during a 3-0 over Lamontville Golden Arrows.
After waiting a season and a half, the Buccaneers faithful finally got to catch a glimpse of new signing Matrose when the speedy attacker took to the pitch for the first time in a Pirates shirt.
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Matrose was signed from Chippa United ahead of the 22/23 season and spent a season-long loan with the Chilli Boys before joining his new teammates at Pirates ahead of the 23/24 season.
The 20-year-old is however is yet to feature for the senior team as he had been sidelined with fracture that required surgery in the first half of the season.
Having now fully recovered, Matrose showed glimpses of the talent that made him one for the most highly rated talents.
Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, Pirates’ DDC coach Makhanya explained why Matrose was in the DDC team and provided an update on the attacker’s fitness.
"Azola Matrose was away for two years, so we are trying to build him up so that when we hand him over to coach Jose Riveiro, he is ready to play," Makhanya said.
"He is still scared because he had an operation on his ankle, so we want him to get used to playing again. When can he get minutes? It’s here in the DDC. It was created specifically for those types of situations."
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Matrose will be aiming to secure a place in a star-studded line-up that includes Monnapule Saleng, and Relebohile Mofokeng, among others.
Pirates take on Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on 13 January.
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