Mamelodi Sundowns fullback Terrence Mashego has been rewarded for his outstanding performances with a spot in the Bafana Bafana squad that will compete at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire. The 25-year-old joined the reigning DStv Premiership champions from Cape Town City in September 2022 but faced setbacks, managing only 12 appearances in all competitions after sustaining an early injury during his early days at Chloorkop. This season, the Mamelodi-born star has been an integral part of Rhulani Mokwena's side, in the process making up for lost time. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Zola Doda, the left-footed player opens up about his humble beginnings, selection to the national team and why the Brazilians can succeed in the CAF Champions League this season.
Zola Doda: Terrence, compliments of the New Year! How are things going so far for you?
Terrence Mashego: Things are going well so far, there is nothing to complain about. We had two to three days off during the festive season and at least I managed to watch the final of the tournament I'm hosting with Grant Kekana. For me, amateur football is a bit different now compared to the time I started, which is a great thing. Now you can see that there are many youngsters getting opportunities and coming through to professional football. There are other amateur tournaments like the Maimane Alfred Phiri Games, which are televised on TV. It's a great platform, especially for the players who have yet to get an opportunity to get recognised at a bigger stage. These amateur tournaments provide a great platform for the youngsters because matches are shown live on TV. Patrick Maswanganyi from Orlando Pirates, if you can follow his story, he was also playing at these tournaments and now he is playing for Pirates. There is progress in our amateur football and this is also part of the reason we started our own tournament; we also want to contribute and play our part.
ZD: How different was your path to professional football?
TM: I met Pontsho (Madumo), who is an agent, while I was playing at Zakhele Siwela's tournament in Hammanskraal. Pontsho took me to Mthatha Bucks and that is how I got my breakthrough.
ZD: Talking about your football progress, you are in Cote d'Ivoire representing South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations. How do you feel about being part of the squad?
TM: To be honest with you, I'm excited. This is a great opportunity. It's good for my CV and it's also good for me as a player. For any player, you want to be playing at a big tournament. These are tournaments that we all want to be part of. When the season started, it was part of my goal (to be in the team that is selected). When I started this season, it was different because last season I had so many injuries. This season I told myself that as long as I'm not injured, I still have a chance. That's the thing I had in my mind. When the announcement was made that I had made the squad, I was so happy. Pontsho called me afterwards and we were both laughing and just happy – we were both excited. Pontsho is one person who was always reminding me that I was going to the Afcon one day.
ZD: What is your first memory of the tournament growing up?
TM: Obviously when Bafana Bafana won the 1996 (edition), I didn't watch it, but I've always seen it as a big platform for African players to compete. It was always a dream to be part of it. But my best memory was in 2019 when we knocked out Egypt and (Thembinkosi) Lorch scored against Egypt. I remember watching that game and thinking that I want to be part of it (tournament) one day. At the time, I was still at TS Galaxy and we watched the tournament at the clubhouse with the guys.
ZD: What are you most looking forward to at Afcon?
TM: For me, the most important thing is the goal of the team. It's all about the team. Starting at the group stages, we just want to make sure that we win the group stage and proceed to the next round. I don't have personal goals; we just have to stick together as a team and have one goal.
ZD: There are lots of players selected from Mamelodi Sundowns. Does that make things easy in terms of adapting to the national team?
TM: It's all about the brotherhood. The coach (Hugo Broos) has built together a squad that is more like a team. When you come in (to the national team), for new players, even for me because I was out for quite some time… So when I came back, (I found that) it's a warm environment and it makes it easy to adapt. It's not about this player coming from Mamelodi Sundowns or this one from Orlando Pirates, no, no, no – it's all about the national team. The guys are all good with each other, we don't even think about whether this one comes from this team or that team. The environment is warm and welcoming.
ZD: Bafana Bafana's group has Namibia, Mali and Tunisia. You also know a lot of players from the Brave Warriors who play in South Africa. Which game are you most looking forward to?
TM: Our first game (against Mali) is very important because that is where we can set the tone. All the games are important, I don't want to lie, especially the group games because that is where we need to make sure that we qualify for the second round. But the most important one is the first because that is where we need to set the tempo.
ZD: Surely you guys must be talking about the second game against your neighbours...
TM: (Laughing) We didn't talk much about it, but it's the most anticipated one because if you check the Namibia squad, maybe they have about 10 or 11 players who are playing in South Africa. It's the most anticipated.
ZD: Earlier, you mentioned that you battled with injuries. What has helped you to turn things around so quickly this season?
TM: For every footballer, there is a period where you will suffer from injuries. For me, the most important thing was to remain positive and be strong mentally because everything starts with the mind. I told myself that whatever happened, happened. I needed to focus and make sure that I recover and stay positive. I was lucky that I got injured playing for a good team like Sundowns because they are very professional. They have a good medical team and in terms of recovery, they didn't rush me. I've done a proper rehab and I will consider myself fortunate because I'm in a good structure. They also made sure that I don't suffer the same injury again.
ZD: This season you are doing well in the league, have won the African Football League and there is also the Nedbank Cup around the corner…
TM: It has been a great season. We have won the AFL and we wanted to be the first ones to win it. In the CAF Champions League, we are doing well and we want to make sure that we qualify for the next round and reach the final. Even in the domestic league, we are number one and we are trying by all means to win the league and the CAF Champions League. You know playing in Africa is different. When you travel to teams like Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca, it's different types of players and different atmosphere. When I came to Sundowns, it was my first time playing the CAF Champions League because at TS Galaxy we played the CAF Confederation Cup. Even though I had a bit of experience, the Confederation Cup and Champions League are different.
ZD: A lot of players say that Champions League is more tactical than domestic football. Agree?
TM: In terms of football, they are a bit tactical, but there you need to be strategic because those teams can score one goal and shut everything. I always have this feeling that the PSL is more difficult. It's just that the atmosphere is different because of travelling and playing away. When you play Wydad, the stadium is packed, so the atmosphere is different. But in terms of football, the PSL is more competitive. The PSL is quicker. In the Champions League, they will delay the game, especially if they are leading. In the PSL, it is fast and sometimes one-v-one players are more aggressive. But in the Champions League, even the fans can intimidate you.
ZD: Some interesting insight, Terrence. In the league, you started with 11 wins in a row before the two draws against Cape Town City and Polokwane City respectively.
TM: The most important thing for us is to win the league and challenge for the Champions League.
ZD: Besides football, what inspires you?
TM: I've tasted poverty and I don't want to see myself going back there. That is what inspires me to succeed. Whatever I do, I need to make sure I succeed. When I meet players who come from the township, I always tell them that your background needs to inspire you. Whether you are at school or whatever that you do, always think about your background. That is something that needs to push you as a person.
TERRENCE MASHEGO FACT FILE
Date of birth: 28 June 1998
Place of birth: Mamelodi, Gauteng
Nickname: Marcelo
Position: Defender
Jersey number: 14
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Previous clubs: Mthatha Bucks, TS Galaxy, Cape Town City
Honours: 2018/19 Nedbank Cup winner (with TS Galaxy), 2022/23 League winner, 2023 African Football League winner (both with Sundowns)
