Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Matlou, who delivered a Man of the Match performance against Free Agents in the Nedbank Cup, has opened up on a difficult journey of being sidelined for nine months due to injuries.
Chiefs progressed to the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of ABC Motsepe outfit Free Agents at FNB Stadium on Sunday night.
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Pule Mmodi struck twice before Inacio Miguel and Ranga Chivairo registered a goal each put the result beyond all doubt. The match marked a first start of the season for Matlou and only a third appearance.
The 26-year-old had been sidelined since November 2023 with multiple injuries.
"It has been a hard journey for me, it is not easy to be out of football for nine months," a teary-eyed Matlou said on SuperSportTV.
"So I am grateful to my medical team and to the coaches for believing in me.
"It was not easy for me but I thank God that he gave me strength and here I am today playing again and thanks to my teammates for always helping me to be the George that I know."
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It's been a rollercoaster for George Matlou ??He reflects on a tough few months ??#NedbankCup | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/iwhby9MWPz
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) January 26, 2025
Chiefs had gone into the match under some pressure - having lost to NFD side Milford in last year's edition of the Nedbank Cup. Results like that often give lower-division teams confidence when coming up against Amakhosi.
"It means a lot because we went positively. There is no easy game as we are playing a lower division team, they always come all-out on us because playing against Kaizer Chiefs is a motivation for every player so it wasn't an easy game for us," Matlou added.
Matlou will be aiming to keep the momentum going and earn a starting place when Chiefs take on rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby on Saturday.
The match will be played at FNB Stadium. Kick-off is at 15:00.