Cape Town City full back Terrence Mashego is starting to believe he belongs at the highest level, writes Mogamad Allie.

Shackling Ghana star Jordan Ayew during November’s controversial World Cup qualifier has given Terrence Mashego all the confidence in the world. It was only the fourth game of his blossoming international career that had only started a month earlier.

The left back took care of Ayew, a regular with Premier League side Crystal Palace, like a seasoned veteran by not allowing the experienced Ghana attacker any space or time to cause problems for the Bafana Bafana defence.

‘It was the biggest game of my career, considering it was only my fourth game for Bafana and that we were facing one of the biggest teams in Africa,’ the 25-year-old defender told SoccerClub.

After clearing up confusion around his date of birth, which he confirms as 28 June 1996 (instead of 23 June 1998 as widely listed), Mashego revealed his focus in that game was on doing anything and everything necessary to win.

‘It didn’t matter whether I came up against Jordan Ayew or anyone else, I was solely focused on winning the game and continuing my dream of playing at the World Cup. But now that I have played against someone like Ayew, who is a regular in the Premier League, I got a taste of what it’s like to face top quality players. Doing well against someone like him has definitely boosted my confidence and will help me.’

The defender, who was one of several new caps introduced by Bafana coach Hugo Broos since he took up the job in May 2021, is full of praise for the Belgian who he believes will steer the national team to greater heights.

‘He’s a very good tactical coach and is a firm believer in his players. He’s also a good human being because he wanted to know more about my family and my life outside football. It’s something he does that with all the Bafana players.’

The Mamelodi-born defender, who joined Cape Town City from TS Galaxy in October 2020, has fitted comfortably into his new environment, becoming a regular starter in Eric Tinkler’s team.

‘It’s been quite easy to settle in Cape Town because I’ve spent most of my career outside Gauteng – I’ve only spent two years playing in my home province. I previously played for Mthatha Bucks in the Eastern Cape so I’m used to being away from home, which made it easy for me to adjust.’

Mashego’s international call-up for the Ethiopia game in October last year was just reward for his outstanding performances for City this season. In addition to competently performing his basic defensive duties he has also shone by using his pace in launching regular attacks down the left flank.

‘Terrence has worked extremely hard to get where is,’ Tinkler told the media after Mashego was first called up to the Bafana squad. ‘When everyone had a day off he decided to come in and do extra training. He ended up doing it by himself and that just shows how dedicated and hard-working the young man is.’

Not only is Mashego putting in the extra yards in pursuit of improving his game, he has also started planning for life after football despite still having a good few years left in his career. He enrolled for a law course at Unisa two years ago and is hoping to complete his degree within the next three years.

‘As a professional footballer it’s not easy to study because of the training and playing commitments which also involves lots of travelling. I’m not going to rush my studies so if takes me another three years to finish, that will be fine. I must admit it’s challenging and with law, the third and fourth year requires lots of commitment and discipline,’ said Mashego, who has his sights on becoming a player agent once he hangs up his boots.

Not that taking up his books is a novelty for the defender. In 2016 he registered for a Sports Science degree at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) but quit in the second year of his studies to take up an offer to join Mthatha Bucks.

‘I decided on doing sports science because I saw it as an easy course that would allow me time to play football. But I gave it up when I got a call from Bucks in 2017 because playing football was more important to me. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.’

Just two years ago, Mashego was still campaigning in the NFD as member of the TS Galaxy side that famously upset Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the final of the 2019 Nedbank Cup. His performances won him the competition’s Most Promising Player Award and now he’s starting to deliver consistently on that promise.