Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has given an update on attacking midfielder Azola Matrose, who has featured in the club’s DDC team recently.
Matrose, 21, joined Pirates at the beginning the 2022/23 season but was loaned back to his home club, making 16 appearances last campaign.
He then returned to Pirates with an injury and the left-footer is yet to make his senior debut for the Buccaneers.
He has been the starter for the DDC side since he returned from injury but has at times struggled to play the full 90 minutes, as he was still getting back to full fitness.
But Riveiro stated that Matrose is now not far from playing for the senior side, as he has taken big steps.
“Azola [Matrose] been working so hard since we started the season, he came back to the club with a difficult injury to deal with and it’s been a long period for him not having an opportunity to perform to his level but right now he is back in a good space his making big steps forward,” Riveiro told the media.
“Right now he is close to his best level in my opinion, he competes very well in the training and he is getting more mature.
“I’m sure that it’s not gonna take long to see him playing for the club again.”
Pirates are back in action on Wednesday evening, when they will face Chippa United for a second time in the space of five days after beating them 3-1 in Gqeberha in Saturday’s Nedbank Cup semi-final.
