Emotional cup hero Darrel Matsheke battled to get out the words as he described how he almost gave up his career just months ago, yet emerged on Saturday as the man who handed Stellenbosch the Carling Knockout by stroking home the decisive kick in the post-match penalty shootout in the final against TS Galaxy.
Matsheke only joined Stellenbosch in October but stepped up to take their sixth kick in the shootout and hand the side a 5-4 victory after the match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.
It was Stellenbosch’s first silverware as a top flight club and came after a tough tussle in the final, eventually decided by a nerve-wracking shootout.
“It means a lot to me, words actually, it's really emotional for me. I was only recently signed by the club. I thought I wasn't going to be in the DStv Premiership this season, so to me and my family it really means a lot and the team as well. They really welcomed me, the hard work we put into training, it’s really amazing to see where I’ve come from. The support I have received means a lot.”
Matsheke had been at Kaizer Chiefs where Gavin Hunt handed him a debut in November 2020 as he moved up from the development ranks, but after that he was not kept in the first team squad but loaned instead to Uthongathi in the National First Division and then to Moroka Swallows last season, before being released.
He was without a club at the start of the season.
“I was supposed to sign with Casric Stars but then I got the call from Stellenbosch,” explained Matsheke before he could go not further with his story as he choked with emotion.
“That call really changed my life I could say, I was like an hour away from signing for Casric.”
He then had to break off from the story before continuing later, explaining how hard it was for him to find a club.
“It was very hard. At some point, I wanted to call it quits. I would like to thank my mom. She really encouraged me not to give up. She said a call from a team would definitely come … and it did.”
Matsheke trained with Stellenbosch on one of their trips to Johannesburg and coach Steve Barker says he took only 10 minutes of watching Matsheke play before telling club officials to sign the 24-year-old.
“I had to work extra hard because in my mind this was like my last opportunity to play football. Stellenbosch has given me the opportunity to play and I didn’t want to let down the coach for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to showcase what I can give,” he added.
