JOHANNESBURG Former Zimbabwe international soccer striker, Ralph Matema, has re-discovered his lethal boots in South Africa, where he is turning out for Witbank Spurs in the second-tier National First Division.Matema recently joined the Mpumalanga-based side on a permanent basis, after he was released by Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates, in the second transfer window last season. That move was initially supposed to last for only a season, but Matema requested that it be extended by yet another season. This resulted in the Buccaneers releasing him permanently, as the new deal would end at the expiry of the contract that the 28-year-old signed with Pirates.
This was after Matema, a golden boot winner in 2006 while turning out for Highlanders in the Zimbabwean PSL, had failed to live up to expectations at Pirates owing to a number of injuries that restricted him more to life on the sidelines than within the lines. However, the player has now adjusted at Spurs, where he has scored three goals, including a brace against Dynamos on August 30, in the four matches that have been played since the beginning of this season.
Matema plays alongside two fellow Zimbabweans – twins Patrick and Peter Mubaiwa, who are also doing wonders at the club. Spurs spokesman, George Khumalo, spoke highly of the striker during an interview with The Zimbabwean early this week. He looks to be very dangerous inside the box and our technical team is happy with his contribution as we have managed to score 11 goals in our four matches, said Khumalo. He is forming a deadly combination with his striking partner – Lungelo Yekiso, as they have scored seven goals amongst themselves.