Thabang Matuludi Set to Achieve Rare Sundowns Feat in First Four Appearances

Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Thabang Matuludi has made an impressive start to his career at Chloorkop, with the defender on course to achieve a rare milestone by featuring in four different competitions during his first four appearances for the club.

The former Polokwane City player has quickly settled into life with the reigning South African champions following his arrival in September 2026. His signing comes at an exciting time for the Brazilians, who continue to pursue domestic and international success under head coach Miguel Cardoso.

According to reports, Matuludi made his debut against Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup, part of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Sundowns emerged victorious, with the right-back making an immediate impact by providing an assist during his 85 minutes on the field.

His impressive first outing gave fans an early indication of his strengths, including his attacking movement, defensive awareness and ability to create opportunities in the final third.

The defender's second appearance came in the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Matuludi played a part as Sundowns defeated their Soweto rivals to claim the trophy, giving him an early taste of success with his new team.

Securing silverware shortly after leaving Polokwane City marked a memorable moment for the 27-year-old, who had only recently joined the Pretoria-based club.

Matuludi then made his Betway Premiership debut for Sundowns, starting in their convincing 4-1 win over Richards Bay FC on Tuesday. He once again played the entire match, further demonstrating his growing importance within Cardoso's squad.

His anticipated fourth appearance is expected to come in a different competition, completing an unusual run of four matches in four separate tournaments. The milestone highlights the demands of representing a club that regularly competes for honours on multiple fronts.

Matuludi's progress is the result of years of dedication and development. Before joining Sundowns, he established himself as an important player at Polokwane City, with his performances eventually earning him recognition at national level with Bafana Bafana.

His transformation from an attacking player into a reliable right-back has also earned recognition from coaches who have followed his development throughout his career.

Sundowns' decision to sign the defender is already showing promising results, particularly as the club navigates a busy fixture schedule involving league matches and various cup competitions.

With two trophies already claimed during his early outings, Matuludi has enjoyed an outstanding introduction to life at Chloorkop

His next challenge will be to maintain his current form, continue adapting to Cardoso's tactical approach and contribute to Sundowns' pursuit of further silverware as the 2026/27 season progresses.

Source:

https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2110712353029230690