Matloga out to punish his old club

BAROKA winger Richard Matloga is delighted that the transfer saga involving his former team Highlands Park has been resolved.

Speaking after scoring Baroka’s first ever Absa Premiership goal in the 1-1 draw against Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday, the player expressed relief that the matter was over.

The 25-year-old was signed by Baroka as a free agent, but Highlands Park cried foul and claimed Matloga’s contract with them was running until June 2017.

Baroka spokesman Jimmy Ngobeni told Sowetan this week that they eventually agreed to reimburse Highlands Park, and thus, the matter wouldn’t reach the PSL’s dispute resolution chamber.

“The matter is closed and I’m happy now. That’s why I managed to score [against Ajax],” said Matloga, who refused to comment any further on the matter.

Highlands Park, though, can expect a backlash of some sort from Matloga when the two sides clash on September 13 at Makhulong Stadium.

“I’m feeling happy about that match. They know me and I know them. It is going to be a war.”

Meanwhile, Baroka coach Kgoloko Thobejane was disappointed with just a point but commended his charges for the way they played.

“A point is better. Our opponents were not there. We missed our chances, but we don’t blame anyone. Scoring is a challenge for each and every footballer or any team.”

The flamboyant mentor expects his team to get better as the season progresses and, remarkably, he is still going on about winning the league in Baroka’s first season in top flight.

“It is Highlands and we will come home with three points. We need [the] number one [position]. We don’t play for any other position.”