Mamelodi Sundowns winger Tashreeq Matthews has opened up about facing Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Round of 16, a repeat of last season’s tie where the same opponents eliminated them at this very stage.
The Tshwane giants carry the scars of that heartbreak, where Bahlabane Ba Ntwa bundled them out 7–6 on penalties after a 0–0 stalemate.
- ALSO READ: How I Convinced Ronwen Not To Quit Football – Kopo
- Why Mofokeng Rejected Sundowns For Pirates
Moreover, coming off the back of a bitter CAF Champions League group-stage exit last Friday, the pressure is on the Brazilians to chase silverware in a competition they last conquered in 2019.
Yet, for Matthews and his teammates, the past is the past; the winger asserts that they aren’t stepping onto the pitch for payback, but simply to secure a win like any other game.
“I don’t think it’s revenge. We just have to go there. Whichever team we play against, we have to win,” Matthews told the club’s media department.
“We play to win and that is important. Fortunately, we are getting Marumo Gallants again and we want to win the game and that’s what we are going there to do.”
The match takes place on Tuesday, Loftus Versfeld Stadium with kick off scheduled for 19:00. Meanwhile, in other fixtures, Kaizer Chiefs will welcome TS Galaxy while Orlando Pirates host Milford.