Pirates attacker picks Sundowns star as toughest opponent

Orlando Pirates attacker Azola Matrose has singled out a Mamelodi Sundowns defender as the toughest opponent he's come up against.

The 20-year-old was signed by the Buccaneers at the end of the 2021/22 season after an impressive personal campaign. Matrose spent another season at Chippa United.

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In his time marauding down the Chilli Boys' wings, Matrose has come up against some of the top-defenders in the Premiership, but none better than Mudau by his own admission.

"It's Khuliso Mudau from Sundowns," Matrose told KickOff when asked which defender has been the toughest to play against.

"The thing he's a tough marker, he stays on you. I can only speak for myself, but he always makes it very difficult for me to go past him.

"So, yes, he's been the toughest player I've come up against."

Matrose is not alone in his assessment, Mudau was voted DStv Premiership Defender of the Season for the 22/23 campaign. He made 39 appearances across all competitions for the Brazilians last season.

"If there's been a player that has been extremely consistent in his performances in the past two seasons it has to be Sailor (Mudau),"Mokwena said of defender in October last year.

That is also a reflection of the quality player that he is. Apart from [having] the qualities of being a top football player [he also has] the qualities of being a very good human being."

Mudau has started the new season on the front foot, scoring a crucial last-minute equaliser for Sundowns during a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in the first leg semi-final of the MTN8.

Sundowns return to action with Bumamuru in the CAF Champions League second-preliminary round tie on Friday in Tanzania.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

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