Sundowns star Matthews awarded R100 000

Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Tashreeq Matthews is R100 000 richer, even on a night where the Betway Premiership champions suffered an embarrassing cup exit.

After 120 minutes with no goal for either side, Marumo Gallants edged Kabo Yellow 7-6 on penalties at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Gallants’ Washington Arubi starred with three saves and the winning spot-kick. But through all the drama, Matthews stood out as the best player on the pitch.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STAR TASHREEQ MATTHEWS WIN AWARD AFTER LOSING TO MARUMO GALLANTS IN THE CARLING KNOCKOUT

The 25-year-old from Hanover Park in the Cape Flats was unplayable on the left wing. His pace, trickery, and direct play kept Gallants’ defence under consistent pressure, leading to Doudy James getting pulled off inside 38 minutes.

Matthews created chances, found shots, and was enterprising before fans made their final votes by the 80th-minute cut-off time, earning him R100 000.

Tashreeq Matthews won the Carling Knockout Man of the Match award against Marumo Gallants — *Tashreeq Matthews in action for Mamelodi Sundowns against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership at the Orlando Stadium. Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix*

THE JOURNEY TO CHLOORKOP

Matthews’ journey to Tshwane began at Ikamva. An Ajax Cape Town academy graduate, he left Parow for Borussia Dortmund’s U19s in 2018.

Stints in the Netherlands with Utrecht U21s, back to Germany with Dortmund’s reserves, and then to Sweden followed.

Helsingborgs IF, Varbergs BoIS, and later Sirius all benefited from his attacking potential before Sundowns brought him home in January 2024.

Since his arrival in Tshwane, Matthews has made an actual impact. In 68 games, he has delivered 16 goals and 13 assists, numbers that speak to his growing influence at Sundowns.

Meanwhile, Matthews and his teammates have to move on from the Carling Knockout disaster. After the FIFA break, Sundowns fly to Nigeria to face Remo Stars in the CAF Champions League.