Darrel Matsheke, the former Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC midfielder, has officially joined Pretoria Callies in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
This comes after his short but impactful spell at Stellies, where he showcased his talents following stints on loan with Uthongathi FC and Moroka Swallows.
The 25-year-old midfielder’s time at Stellenbosch started positively, with his performances catching the attention of coach Steve Barker during his very first training session.
Barker saw great potential in Matsheke, and the young player quickly lived up to those expectations.
He secured two Man of the Match awards and played a crucial role in helping the team secure their first-ever top-flight trophy.
Departure from Stellenbosch
Matsheke’s time at Stellies, however, was cut short due to reported disciplinary issues.
In March, the club announced that the player had been released by mutual agreement after allegedly breaching the team’s code of conduct.
Despite this, Matsheke made 12 appearances and was instrumental in the club’s success, even scoring the decisive penalty in their 2023 Carling Knockout victory.
This departure left Matsheke as a free agent, but it wasn’t long before a new opportunity came his way.
Reuniting with Former Teammates
At Pretoria Callies, Matsheke will reunite with former Chiefs teammate Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, a 28-year-old left-back who also joined the team after a stint at Sekhukhune United.
The two players bring valuable experience to Callies, who are aiming for promotion this season.
Head coach Fabio Lopez is eager to see how his new signings will gel with the existing squad.
Lopez expressed excitement about the fresh additions, highlighting that integrating experienced players like Matsheke and Ntiya-Ntiya will help elevate the team’s performance.
He also acknowledged that understanding his coaching philosophy will be key for the newcomers.
Aiming for a Better Season
With the recent signings, including Tsepho Chaine and Tsepho Sikhosana from Marumo Gallants, Pretoria Callies is hopeful for a turnaround.
Despite currently sitting 13th in the league with just six points from seven games, Lopez remains confident.
He praised the team’s solid defensive record, with four clean sheets so far, and believes the new recruits will provide the spark needed to climb the table.
Callies’ management and supporters will be keeping a close eye on how these signings shape the rest of the season, as the club sets its sights on promotion.
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