January is one of the months on the global football calendar that sees club representatives, player agents and administrative officials from various leagues around the world work into extra time as the transfer merry go round moves into full swing. Most officials in the industry have their work cut out as they aim to conclude deals before the clock strikes midnight on the final day of January which will mark the end of the month long transfer window. From Chiefs point there has already been some transfer activity with the previously transfer listed midfielder Emmanuel Ngobese leaving Naturena for Thanda Royal Zulu earlier this week.

Further transfer news involving The Amakhosi sees striker Louis Agyemang head to Giyani where he will see out the remainder of the season with Mvela Golden League Team Dynamos. Gert Schalkwyk’s proposed move to Dynamos Limpopo rivals Black Leopards has fallen through as the player and Leopards were unable to come to an agreement on his personal terms. In the mean time Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has promoted South Africa U-23 central-defensive midfielder Wayne Matle from the Chiefs youth ranks, Matle who will turn 20 later this month becomes the fourth player to be promoted from the Chiefs Academy to the first team since start of the season.

Matle upward momentum

Wayne Matle a tall and well build central-defensive midfielder is a largely homegrown talent for The Amakhosi as the 19 year old has been natured and honed in the Chiefs Academy since the age of 15. This has meant that his development has been checked and monitored by the Club, over the years Matle has represented the South Africa U-17; U-20 and U-23 teams which has given him added competitive experience. Matle’s overall composure and hard working ethic helped him win over Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral as one of his admirers. After some impressive displays with the Chiefs youth Ertugral had him promoted and he has been training with the Chiefs first team since they returned to training on the 5th January.

Youthful Zest

Muhsin Ertugral is well known for his ability to spot talented young players and give them first team opportunities, has described Matle as a young strong midfielder who knows his way around the park. According to Ertugral Matle possesses both the tactical and technical acumen to ensure that he is able to easily fit in to the pace of top-flight football saying. “Wayne is a sturdy player who possesses the correct build for a player of his preferred midfield position. His ability to turn opposition players and help the team move forward is also part of his bag of skills” said Ertugral of Matle.

Knuckling in

Like Chiefs other recent purchase Michael Nkambule, Matle is from Daveyton on Gauteng’s East Rand - he has not come into the central part of the province just to make up the numbers at Chiefs, and is prepared to do whatever it takes to get his way into playing first team football. “I am aware as to the challenges that I am up against in trying to find a way into the team. They are challenges I am willing to work over in order to play regular football”. Fighting talk from a player who has been tipped to feature prominently for Chiefs in the foreseeable future.