Booth gives Ajax timely reminder

– Former Ajax Cape Town defender Matthew Booth (above) was part of the squad that battled relegation in the 2012/13 Absa Premiership season and with one game remaining in the current campaign, it’s do-or-die for the Urban Warriors.

The Cape club welcome Kaizer Chiefs to Cape Town Stadium next Saturday, with victory over the Soweto giants needed to guarantee safety for the hosts.

Ajax Cape Town and Chiefs have been involved in memorable clashes over the years and none more so than the unforgettable showdown in the Mother City five years ago.

Battling at the wrong end of the table, Ajax needed a win against the title-chasing Glamour Boys. Lebogang Manyama opened the scoring before Tefu Mashamaite pulled the visitors level.

It would be the hosts, though, who came up trumps as Manyama completed his brace in the 88th minute before Mabhuti Khenyeza rounded off proceedings.

Muhsin Ertugral, who spent several years at Kaizer Chiefs, was also the head coach of the Urban Warriors back in 2013 and Booth feels the club have the right man in charge.

“You couldn’t ask for a better person to be in charge for a game against Chiefs,” Booth said.

“Muhsin got his tactics spot on that day – identifying the threat posed by fullbacks Tsepo Masilela and Siboniso Gaxa in closing the channels.

“Also, Manyama was absolutely on fire and had an excellent game.

Booth continued: “Muhsin told us that Chiefs had brought their championship-winning T-shirts to Cape Town and that if we lost they would celebrate in front of us at our home. That gave us added motivation to beat them.” – ANA

Cape Town