Ex-QDMS

Mathew Booth

John Goliath

MAARTEN STEKELENBURG’S silence this week on the issue of Matthew Booth was even more telling than if he had given his standard “I don’t know, it is up to the board” reply.

The normally subdued and polite Dutch coach’s frustration with the situation is evident. Especially, as he has been playing midfielders in the last line of defence, when he has a grizzled veteran who has played at the highest level fit and training with the team.

Tonight his side face Bidvest Wits, and will attempt to bounce back following an away defeat to Moroka Swallows on Friday night, when Stekelenburg had to watch his team go 3-0 behind following some dodgy defending.

The makeshift defence, made up of midfielders Nhlanhla Shabalala and Thato Mokeke, was all at sea due to their inexperience.

Tonight, the talented Nazeer Allie might come back from injury to keep things together against the inconsistent Wits, but will he be able to perform at his best after only recovering from his ankle injury last week?

The issue surrounding the in-fighting in the Ajax board is not supposed to have an influence on the field, but it’s slowly making its way down the tunnel. Some want Booth, others don’t.

Rather suprising, because Booth has done the hard yards and has recovered from his injury. He has even played well for the reserve team.

Goodness only knows why he hasn’t been given a chance, while Stekelenburg doesn’t want to hazard a guess either.

“I hope Nazeer will be available for the Wits game, but we are trying to manage (the defence),” the coach said. “I don’t want to say anything about Matthew Booth, because anything that I might say will not help the process.”

Ajax will be without the suspended Khama Billiat upfront, but will welcome back veteran playmaker Brent Carelse into the starting line-up after he sparked Ajax on Friday when he come on as a substitute.