Struggling Ajax promote youngster
Ajax Cape Town have announced the promotion of Tashreeq Matthews from their youth academy to the senior team.
Tashreeq Matthews of Ajax Cape Town battles for the ball with Jayden Wakefield of Old Mutual Academy. (Chris Ricco/BackpagePix)
The 17-year-old follows in the footsteps of Leo Thethani and Kiyaam Bull in graduating into the club’s PSL Team over the last 12 months, with Thethani having since gone on to further his career at Ajax Amsterdam alongside Dean Solomons.
“The teenage forward first joined Ajax Cape Town in 2012 and has steadily climbed the ranks onto becoming one of the country’s most exciting talents.
“Matthews starred for the club on Young Ajax’s tour to the Netherlands last year with his exploits rewarded at the ICGT Tournament where he was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside Renaldo Leaner and Luthando Mateza,” read a statement on the club’s website.
“He duly received a call-up to the National U18 team in August last year for friendly matches against England and Brazil. Matthews found the back of the net in a 2-1 victory over the Three Lions.
Matthews, who hails from Hanover Park, will now be aiming to make a name for himself in the PSL as he sets his sights on Europe,” the statement continued.
Meanwhile, Ajax development players Lasina Traore and Zaakir Allie have jetted off to Holland last Sunday where they will be spending the two weeks with the mother club Ajax Amsterdam.
The players are accompanied by the Urban Warriors head of development Hans Vonk.
