The Absa Premiership showdown between second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park on Wednesday night (7.30pm) will be a title eliminator.
That is the opinion of the Brazilians’ tough-as-teak central defender, Matthew Booth, who rejoined Downs in January after spending six years playing in the Russian First Division.
Both Downs and Bucs are keen to pip leaders and defending Premiership champions SuperSport United for the league crown.
But said Booth: ”The winner of this match will emerge as the genuine challenger to SuperSport. Hopefully it will be Sundowns. But this match will be a big test for us as well as Pirates. The atmosphere at Ellis Park will ensure a great top of the table battle.”
Booth made his long awaited debut when he shone in the 0-0 draw against Free State Stars at the Super Stadium last Wednesday night, but was surprisingly dropped for Downs 2-1 win over Santos at the same venue at the weekend.
Said Booth: ”I surprised myself against Stars. I was a bit nervous at the start of the game but soon got back into my old rhythm. I thought I played well. I was happy to play the entire 90 minutes and was disappointed not playing against Santos, but maybe the coach (Henri Michel) was resting me for Pirates.
”I really hope so as it is these types of games I enjoy playing. I would love to start against Pirates as I rate them as a top side and as so much rests on the outcome. I want to be part of it and test myself against them.”
Booth said Downs had recovered from the hiccup when they dropped four points losing away to bottom club bay United and then drawing against Free State Stars last week. ”It happens to all sides after a good run. We had won five matches before we lost (2-0) away to Bay and then did not really create a lot of chances against Stars. But we bounced back again Santos and we are going to be well prepared for Pirates because so much is at stake.”
Booth believes SuperSport are the side to beat. ”The way they beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 at the weekend shows they are going to fight to keep their title. So, whoever wins between us and Pirates will be the team to challenge SuperSport.”
Meanwhile Bucs spokesperson Mickey Modisane agreed this was a make-or-break match for his side. ”We simply cannot afford to lose,” he said, delighted with his side’s 2-1 win over Platinum Stars at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Sunday which takes his side to 37 points, one behind Downs and six behind SuperSport with a match in hand.
Said Modisane: ”It is good we are playing at Ellis Park and I am appealing to our fans to rally behind the team as this is crunch time. We need all the help we can get.”
Modisane said beating Stars was a big boost going into this do-or-die game. ”The coach [Ruud Krol], the players and the fans know what is at stake and we need to make sure we keep closing the gap on SuperSport.”
On the weekend Bloemfontein Celtic lost 2-0 to AmaZulu in their Absa Premiership clash played at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday and Orlando Pirates lost 2-1 to Platinum Stars in Rustenburg, also on Sunday. — Sapa