Former Amajimbos and Amajita full back Bongane ‘Chappies’ Mathabela will be hoping to play his first ever Absa Premiership game on Saturday when Stellenbosch FC take on Cape Town City in a local derby at the Athlone Stadium.
Mathabela, who turns 23 today, was unfortunately suspended for Stellenbosch’s opening match, where they played to a goalless draw away against Chippa United.
Despite his young age, the former Witbank Spurs star played 112 games in South Africa’s second tier, and says he is now excited to get a chance in the Premiership.
Mathabela spent four seasons at Spurs before joining Stellenbosch last season for a new challenge. And while Mathabela won the NFD with Stellenbosch, his former team were relegated.
Not only did he help Stellenbosch win the league, Mathabela was ever-present, playing every minute of all 31 league and cup games Stellenbosch played last season.
Mathabela says he draws inspiration from his close childhood friend, Percy Tau, and he is very proud of his friend, who made a goal-scoring debut for Club Brugge in Belgium last week. – Report by Rob Delport
