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By Sibongiseni Gumbi

Football Writer


Matlou optimistic of Chiefs success despite slow start

“No matter how many minutes I play, what matters most is me playing, giving my best," says Matlou.


Kaizer Chiefs‘ midfielder George Matlou is feeling optimistic that things are finally falling into place for him at the Naturena based side. 

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He says that if it weren’t for injuries, things might have progressed much faster and he would by now be a regular starter. 

Matlou believes that hard work is the solution to getting more playing time, but he had some bad luck with injuries last season.

“It is just hard work… And of course, I didn’t have the best of starts last season,” said Matlou, speaking to the media in Durban this week. 

“Unfortunately, I got injured. Injuries were prevalent for me last season but I just make sure that whenever I’m given a chance, I’m just going to use it.

“No matter how many minutes I play, what matters most is me playing, giving my best.”

Matlou did get a start when Chiefs beat Sekhukhune United 2-1 in a DStv Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

He gave an impressive performance. He was signed by Chiefs from Moroka Swallows last season and made 14 appearances across various competitions. 

In the current season, he has already started four out of five league matches and one out of two matches in the MTN8. 

Matlou on Chiefs’ slow start

Matlou also commented on Chiefs’ uninspiring start this season which has seen them knocked out of the MTN8 and trailing Mamelodi Sundowns by more than 10 points in the league. 

“I don’t think we’ve had a poor start. You can see how we are playing, it’s a matter of time before we get the goals,” Matlou told the media.

“About our MTN8 elimination… Yes, we were disappointed. Of course, we deserved better, judging by how we played and how hard the boys are working.

“But we can’t dwell on the past… we have to move on. If we are going to dwell on the past, we are not going to move on.”

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Matlou will hope to keep his place in Molefi Ntseki’sstarting line team when they host Cape Town City in an enticing Premiership match at FNB Stadium next Tuesday.