Mamelodi Sundowns has set the standard for winning the Betway Premiership, attracting many players eager to join their talented squad. The reigning champions are renowned for their star-studded roster, and one standout performer is Tashreeq Matthews.
Matthews has had an interesting journey in his football career, showing that when preparation meets opportunity, doors are opened for you to showcase your talent and prove your worth, no matter the situation or circumstances.
It all began with Matthews working his way through the Ajax CT Youth ranks to the Ajax Cape Town first team. Ajax has seen many quality footballers walk through their doors, and Matthew’s talent was undeniable, which led him to Germany, where he signed for the Borussia Dortmund U19 team.
Having signed for Dortmund was a massive achievement, which provided a perfect platform to perfect his craft and make a name for himself, as the German giants are known to put a lot of focus on young talent.
Matthews was sent out on a six-month loan spell to join Dutch Eredivisie side Utrecht U21 in 2019, gaining valuable experience, which earned him a promotion to Dortmund’s reserve team at the end of his short stint in the Netherlands.
At this point, it was clear that the talent was there, which saw him make a switch to the Swedish Allsvenskan, Sweden’s first tier, signing for Varbergs BoIS at the tender age of 19 years old. Matthews spent three seasons with Varbergs between 2019 and 2022, making 61 appearances and scoring eight goals while providing eight assists.
With the exposure and quality performances on display, IK Sirius, who also compete in the Swedish Allsvenskan, wasted no time securing the services of Matthews for the 2022/23 season, which proved to be his major breakthrough, proving dreams do come true.
In his second season, Matthews continued to raise the bar and deliver quality performances, earning respect and trust from his teammates. He showed that he was ready for the challenge and took it head-on, making 33 appearances and contributing to 21 goal involvements, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists.
The Cape Town-born attacking midfielder, unfortunately, could not follow up on his exceptional season and opted for a return to South Africa, which some may argue was the wrong move. Mamelodi Sundowns jumped at the opportunity to acquire Matthews’ services, and the 24-year-old has been a star since joining the Brazilians in the 2023/24 season.
At just 24, Tashreeq has made his mark and made his presence felt for Sundowns. He has already surpassed 50 appearances, proving his value to the team and continues to be that creative spark. In the recent 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Matthews was one of the standout performers for the Brazilians, despite them not advancing to the knockout rounds.
His small build may be deceiving to the eye, as he has the ability to drive past defenders and has an eye for finding the back of the net. Among many different attributes that make up his game, Matthews thrives in open spaces where he can utilise his acceleration, agility, balance, and speed, which have shaped him into the player he is today.
Now with the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season in full swing, Tashreeq is a player to keep an eye on and has maintained his high standards, having already got himself among the goals.
Matthews is looking to build on his Man of the Match performance against AmaZulu, where he scored and provided an assist, when they take on Magesi FC on Wednesday evening, before turning their attention to the second leg MTN8 semi-final where they will take on Orlando Pirates in a winner takes all clash on Saturday 23 August 2025 at the famous Lucas Moripe Stadium.