Introduction
Eric Mathoho is one of the most talented and respected defenders in South African football. He has established himself as a key player for Kaizer Chiefs and the South African national team and has won several awards and accolades for his performances. Off the field, Mathoho is a role model and inspiration to young footballers, and his philanthropic work has helped to uplift his local community.
Early Life and Career
Eric Mathoho was born on March 1, 1990, in Thohoyandou, a small village in Limpopo, South Africa. He grew up in a soccer-loving family and started playing football at a young age. His father, who was a coach, was his biggest inspiration and taught him the basics of the game.
At the age of 16, Mathoho joined Mashamba Soccer Academy, a local team in his village. He quickly established himself as a talented defender with an impressive physique and aerial ability. In 2008, he was spotted by scouts from Bidvest Wits FC, a Johannesburg-based team, and was offered a trial.
Career at Bidvest Wits
Mathoho impressed the coaches at Bidvest Wits and was offered a contract in 2009. He made his debut in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 2010 and went on to establish himself as one of the best young defenders in the league. Mathoho’s physicality, aerial prowess, and strong defensive abilities quickly caught the attention of other teams in the PSL.
Move to Bloemfontein Celtic
In 2012, Mathoho was signed by Bloemfontein Celtic, one of the top teams in the PSL. He made an immediate impact, helping the team reach the final of the Telkom Knockout Cup in his first season. Mathoho’s performances earned him a call-up to the South African national team, and he made his debut in a friendly match against Brazil in September 2012.
Career at Kaizer Chiefs
In 2013, Mathoho was signed by Kaizer Chiefs, one of the most successful and popular teams in South African football history. He quickly established himself as a key player in the team’s defence, forming a formidable partnership with Tefu Mashamaite.
In his first season at Kaizer Chiefs, Mathoho helped the team win the league title and reach the final of the Nedbank Cup. He was named the club’s Player of the Season and also won the PSL Defender of the Season award.
Mathoho continued to be a key player for Kaizer Chiefs over the next few seasons, helping the team win the league title again in 2015. He was also a member of the South African squad that won the 2016 COSAFA Cup.
2012/13 Season
Mathoho signed for Kaizer Chiefs in 2012 from Bloemfontein Celtic. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team, making 23 appearances in his debut season. He helped the team to finish second in the league and reach the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
2013/14 Season
Mathoho continued to be an important player for Chiefs in his second season at the club. He formed a solid defensive partnership with Tefu Mashamaite and helped the team to win the league title. He made 25 appearances in all competitions and scored two goals.
2014/15 Season
In the 2014/15 season, Mathoho played a pivotal role in helping Chiefs to reach the final of the CAF Champions League. He was one of the standout performers in the team and played every minute of the competition. He also helped the team to reach the final of the MTN8 Cup and the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout Cup. He made 31 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.
2015/16 Season
Mathoho continued to be a key player for Chiefs in the 2015/16 season. He helped the team to reach the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League and the quarter-finals of the Telkom Knockout Cup. He made 28 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.
2016/17 Season
In the 2016/17 season, Mathoho played an instrumental role in helping Chiefs to reach the final of the Nedbank Cup. He also helped the team to finish fourth in the league. He made 28 appearances in all competitions and scored two goals.
2017/18 Season
Mathoho missed a significant part of the 2017/18 season due to injury, but he still managed to make 14 appearances in all competitions. He helped the team to reach the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout Cup and the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
2018/19 Season
Mathoho played an important role in the 2018/19 season, helping Chiefs to reach the final of the Nedbank Cup. He made 24 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.
2019/20 Season
In the 2019/20 season, Mathoho played a crucial role in helping Chiefs to finish second in the league and reach the final of the Telkom Knockout Cup. He made 24 appearances in all competitions and scored two goals.
2020/21 Season
Mathoho continued to be an important player for Chiefs in the 2020/21 season. He helped the team to reach the final of the CAF Champions League and the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup. He made 27 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.
Overall, Mathoho has been a key player for Kaizer Chiefs throughout his career at the club. He has helped the team to win several trophies and has established himself as one of the best defenders in South African football. His leadership and experience have been crucial in guiding the team through the challenges that come with playing for a big club.
Injury and Comeback
In 2019, Mathoho suffered a serious injury that kept him out of action for several months. He returned to action in the 2019/2020 season but struggled to regain his form and fitness. However, he bounced back in the 2020/2021 season and was once again a key player for Kaizer Chiefs.
Off the Field
Outside of football, Mathoho is known for his philanthropic work. He is a brand ambassador for the Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and has been involved in several community development initiatives. He also runs a soccer academy in his hometown of Thohoyandou, where he trains and mentors young players.
Playing Style
Eric Mathoho is a versatile defender who is known for his physicality, strength, and aerial ability. He is a towering presence on the pitch, standing at 1.96m tall, which gives him an advantage in the air when contesting for headers.
Mathoho is a commanding presence in the heart of the defence, and his ability to read the game and make well-timed tackles has made him a reliable defender for Kaizer Chiefs and the South African national team. He is also comfortable on the ball and has excellent distribution skills, often initiating attacks from the back with his accurate passes.
Mathoho is a team player and always puts in a hundred percent effort, whether it is defending, intercepting or making tackles. He is a tough tackler, but he is also disciplined in his approach and rarely picks up unnecessary yellow or red cards. His positioning and marking skills are top-notch, and he has the ability to neutralize the opposing team’s most potent attacking threats.
In addition to his defensive qualities, Mathoho is also a threat in the attacking third of the field. He has a powerful header, which he often uses to score goals from set-pieces. His height and physicality make him a difficult opponent to mark during corner kicks and free-kicks, making him a valuable asset during attacking set-piece situations.
Overall, Eric Mathoho is a formidable central defender who has consistently proven himself as one of the best defenders in South African football. His playing style is characterized by his strength, aerial ability, discipline, and versatility. His contributions have been crucial to Kaizer Chiefs’ success in recent years, and he continues to be a vital player for both club and country.
