Orlando Pirates winger Azola Matrose looks close to his debut for the club if the latest news emerging is anything to go by.
The player has been training with the rest of his teammates, having finally recovered from the injury that delayed him since arriving from Chippa United at the end of last season.
The talented player was signed by Orlando Pirates from Chippa United ahead of the 2022/23 season. But he was immediately loaned back to Chippa as he was busy with his studies doing Grade 11 at the time.
Matrose, who is comfortable on the wing or in an advanced midfield position, was a standout player for the Eastern Cape side after he was handed his debut by then-coach Gavin Hunt.
In the 2022/23 season campaign, Matrose made 16 appearances in all competitions and scored two goals for the Morgan Mammila-coached side, but he missed the second half of the campaign with a fibula bone injury. However, he has fully recovered.
WHO WILL AZOLA MATROSE COMPETE WITH AT ORLANDO PIRATES?
After spending the 2022/23 season with Chippa United on loan, Matrose reported for pre-season at Pirates and has been in both camps in Rustenburg and Spain, respectively, under the watchful eyes of Spanish mentor Jose Riveiro and his technical team.
In previewing the team’s last match, which was against SuperSport United on Saturday in Limpopo, the Soweto giants have shown Matrose in training among the images of players posted on the club’s official Twitter account.
OTHER SOCCER NEWS:Chippa United in Azola Matrose talks
Having been training for the past few weeks, the 20-year-old is believed to have worked hard to catch up with the rest of the group in fitness and to raise his hand for inclusion in the match day squad. Depending on the Buccaneers coach Jose Riveiro’s decision.
Indications are that the Walmer-born player could be included in the match-day squad for the Stellenbosch FC league clash on Friday, as the Sea Robbers aim to bounce back after disappointing results in their last match in the league against Matsatsantsa A Pitori.
He will compete with the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule, Monnapule Saleng, Katlego Otladisa and Relebogile Mofokeng for the winger position.