Orlando Pirates attacker Azola Matrose believes he can raise his level even higher than what he did at Chippa United at the Soweto giants.
The 20-year-old left-footed attacker also revealed that he can be better than what he was at Chippa and saw many teams clamor for his signature.
Matrose was signed at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, along with Bienvenu Eva Nga from Chippa Mpengesi’s club, but he was loaned back to his former club until the end of the last campaign.
Pirates brought him to be part of the side this season, but it appears his place in the side is going to be a struggle to crack, as the Houghton club has many attacking options in the advanced areas.
This past weekend, Matrose along with Relebohile Mofokeng, were part of Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge side under coach Joseph Makhanya, as they hammered Golden Arrows 3-0 at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.
Makhanya said he brought them into the DDC team so they can be ready by the time Jose Riveiro’s side resumes the league next month after the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I can [return to that form] and I can be more than I was at Chippa,” Matrose told iDiski Times.
“Here, there are a lot of big players, a lot of experienced players. So, from being here, it’s a lot of achievement.”
At Chippa, Matrose was the main man until he suffered a bad ankle injury in January last year that ruled him out until the end of the season.
Because Pirates have enough weaponry in the second line of attack, it created a struggle to adapt for Matrose coupled with a long-term injury. But Matrose is not discouraged to be playing in the DDC of Pirates, having tested top-flight football.
“It doesn’t discourage me and instead it builds me up because I also need game-time,” said Matrose.
“As I’m here I’m not demotivated, I’m motivated because I’m playing with players who are willing to play, and I need this game-time so I can compete in the first team.”
