Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Matlou has opened up on the physical and mental toll that his long-term injury had on him.
Matlou put in a man of the match display as Chiefs dispatched lower league side Free Agents 4-0 to make it to the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup on Sunday, earning plenty of plaudits.
It was the first time the 26-year-old was playing 90 minutes in nearly a year and he has given an emotional account of his journey back to the pitch.
Tearful Matlou narrates his journey back
“It has been a hard journey for me, it is not easy to be out of football for nine months so I am grateful to my medical team and to the coaches for believing in me,” a tearful Matlou told SuperSport TV.
“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 team-mates for always helping me to be the George that I know.”
Playing 90 minutes is not something Matlou is taking lightly and he says his team-mates were keen to ensure there was no complacency given the kind of the opposition they were up against.
“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,” he added.
Will the midfielder start the Soweto derby?
“We didn’t go there to undermine them, we went positively and played our normal game. The journey has not been easy for me because playing for Kaizer Chiefs is not easy. Everyone wants to play for Kaizer Chiefs but no one knows how it is to be here.
“I am grateful enough to wear the Kaizer Chiefs jersey and I am grateful to the coaching team for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talent.”
Chiefs can now turn their attention to the Soweto derby on Saturday and Matlou will hope to be involved again after starting two straight games and impressing in both of them.
