Thabo Matlaba

Thabo "Festival" Matlaba (born 13 December 1987) is a South African professional association footballer who plays as a left-back for Premier Soccer League club Golden Arrows. He is known for his long range shots with both his feet. Although he plays mostly as a left back, Matlaba is naturally right. Quotes You need a good pre-season to prepare well mentally and physically, and when you play friendly matches, it tells you how fit you are It's very important when you join a new team to show the coach that you want to play because it's not easy to get into the starting line-up. Whenever you get a chance, you need to grab it with both hands and make sure you follow the coach's instructions and be quick in terms of adapting to the club culture. It's part of football, we learn and we move on. This season, it's definitely going to be better As one of the senior players, I have to make sure that they are performing, they are following instructions; I must make sure that they train well . I have to be a role model to them and come early to training so that they can see. As a role model, I can't be ill-disciplined. They used to watch me play for Orlando Pirates, so it's very important for me to remain disciplined because they can see everything that I'm doing. I tell them all the time (that the) DStv Premiership is not like the DStv Diski Challenge, this is a different stage. In the DStv Premiership, 20 minutes feels like 90 minutes. They have to focus before the game starts and make sure they are doing extra work. I'm doing extra work at my age, why can't they do the same? I always motivate them and tell them about the advantages of playing at this level We had leaders in that team and we were united and this is why we achieved the things we did. We were all united and fought for each other. That team was going to win a lot of trophies, but when Senzo passed, things changed – we started shaking. Whether you like it or not, when you play for a big team, there is always pressure. It's easy to get motivated when playing against those teams because we have youngsters who want to play for Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns – they are always motivated. They don't need motivation. We opened the doors for other teams to desire to win the cup. During off-season, I eat everything, but when the pre-season starts, I start dieting. I look after myself and that helps me a lot to stay fit. I can play until 38, 39. Maybe it's not about football, maybe it's something to do with money . I don't know, but I don't think after reaching 40 I can go and play in Botswana or Eswatini. Thabo Matlaba: If Senzo Was Still Alive…November 15,2024, SOCCER LADUMA by Siya Crew. Al Ahly have experience, they know how to score and they know how defend, So I’m very impressed with that team they are scoring goals and that is the most important thing. In Champions League you must score goals because if you don’t score goals you won’t win and also their defence is very solid, so I think they will do well It’s going to be a very tough match': Thabo Matlaba warns Orlando Pirates ahead of sold out Al Ahly FC clash, August 28, 2026,The POST by Mthobisi Nozulela External links Category:Soccer players from South Africa Category:Living people Category:1987 births