{{short description|South African soccer player (born 2003)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Use South African English|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Azola Matrose | image = | fullname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|3|27|df=y}} | birth_place = Walmer Township, Gqeberha | height = 1.80 m | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Chippa United | clubnumber = 10 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2021–2022 | clubs1 = Chippa United | caps1 = 14 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2022–2014 | clubs2 = Orlando Pirates | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2022–2023 | clubs3 = → Chippa United (loan) | caps3 = 16 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2024– | clubs4 = Chippa United | caps4 = 19 | goals4 = 1 | nationalyears1 = 2022 | nationalteam1 = South Africa | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 4 January 2026 | ntupdate = 16 August 2024 }}
'''Azola Matrose''' (born 27 March 2003) is a South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League.
He was born in Walmer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://soccernews24.co.za/2023/12/29/azola-matrose-inches-closer-to-pirates-return/|title=Azola Matrose inches closer to Pirates return|date=29 December 2023|publisher=Soccernews 24|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> Matrose was signed by Chippa United as the autumn of 2021 approached,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2021-09-01-eastern-capes-azola-matrose-chippas-youngest-signing/|title=Eastern Cape’s Azola Matrose Chippa’s youngest signing|date=1 September 2021|author=Nkanjeni, Vuyokazi|publisher=Dispatch Live|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> and made his first-tier debut in the 2021–22 South African Premier Division.<ref>{{soccerway|azola-matrose/766080}}</ref> He performed as well as to be called up to South Africa's squad for the 2022 COSAFA Cup,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://witness.co.za/sport/2022/07/05/young-bafana-squad-for-cosafa-cup/|title=Young Bafana squad for Cosafa Cup|date=5 July 2022|publisher=|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> where he made his international debut against Madagascar.<ref name=nft>{{NFT player|88148}}</ref>
He was signed by Orlando Pirates in 2022, but spent 2022–23 back on loan with Chippa United. One of the reasons was to complete Grade 11 of school.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/transfer-centre/matrose-to-return-to-chippa-on-loan/|title=Matrose To Return To Chippa On Loan|date=9 June 2023|author=Makonco, Sinethemba|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref>
Matrose missed the closer of the 2022–23 season, and as the 2023–24 season approached, he still had an injured fibula.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-08-23-matrose-ready-to-compete-for-space-in-bucs-squad/|title=Matrose ready to compete for space in Bucs squad|date=23 August 2023|author=Khoza, Neville|publisher=|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> He was given match training for the reserve team in the Diski Challenge in early 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/soccer/psl-south-africa/major-update-provided-on-new-orlando-pirates-star-missing/|title=Why ‘scared’ Orlando Pirates starlet hasn’t made his debut yet|author=Nanabhay, Zaahid|date=28 January 2024|publisher=The South African|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/makhanya-why-i-brought-mofokeng-matrose-to-diski-team/|title=Makhanya – Why I Brought Mofokeng & Matrose To Diski Team|date=22 January 2024|author=Madlala, Robin-Duke|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-diski-challenge/makhanya-opens-up-on-matrose-injury-nightmare/|title=Makhanya Opens Up On Matrose Injury Nightmare|date=1 February 2024|author=Makonco, Sinethemba|publisher=iDiski Times|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> In August 2024, Matrose finally rejoined Chippa United permanently, signing a three-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/local/premiership/orlando-pirates/official-azola-matrose-leaves-orlando-pirates-for-chippa-united-permanently-20240815|title=Official: Permanent Pirates Departure Confirmed|publisher=Soccer Laduma|date=15 August 2024|access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Chippa United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Matrose, Azola}} Category:2003 births Category:Living people Category:People from Gqeberha Category:South African men's soccer players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Chippa United F.C. players Category:Orlando Pirates F.C. players Category:South African Premier Division players Category:South Africa men's international soccer players Category:21st-century South African sportsmen
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