'The Sky is the Limit' may just be a Mamelodi Sundowns slogan and a motivational quote for many, but Tashreeq Matthews, the former Borussia Dortmund U-19 player, takes it in the literal sense and is confident that Downs can soar beyond the galaxy.
Sundowns hit cloud nine this past weekend when they beat Stellenbosch 1-0 in the DStv Premiership to set a new league record of 72 points in a single season.
Masandawana held the previous record for eight seasons, which sat at 71 points, and now with the possibility of extending that record, Matthews says he and his teammates are not planning to take their foot off the pedal.
Sundowns also have their sights set on joining the likes of Al Ahly, Esperance and Zamalek, to be listed as the select group of African teams to go an entire league campaign without blemish.
Sundowns currently sit on 22 wins, six draws paired with 51 goals scored and are the only team to have so far conceded less than 10 goals, boosting a healthy 42-goal difference.
“It is a great achievement, we made history, but we have an opportunity to go even further and to extend the record. We have two games left and the next game is TS Galaxy to take the 72 to 75 points,” said Matthews.
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“We have a game against Cape Town City on the weekend and it is an opportunity to take it to 78 points. Making history and breaking records as a team feels good and we need to take it even further,” Matthews added.
Matthews’ record at Sundowns sits at 14 games across all competitions and has four goals along with a single assist to his name.
When Downs host TS Galaxy on Tuesday evening at the Mbombela Stadium, Matthews might get an opportunity to add minutes under his belt.
“We played them not too long ago and the scoreline was 3-0. Of course, we want to have more of the ball possession and at times they were going into a low block, and it was a bit challenging for us to get through.
“But we will find ways to get between and behind the lines. We just have to make use of the opportunities to score,” Matthews explained.
