Booth on how Sundowns can complete a whitewash against Al Ahly in AFL

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Matthew Booth has revealed how the Tshwane giants can complete a whitewash against Al Ahly in the African Football League.

The two sides will renew their rivalry in the second leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday at Cairo International Stadium with a spot in the final up for grabs. Kickoff is set for 8pm.

Heading into the encounter, Masandawana hold a slight advantage. They won the first leg with a narrow 1-0 victory on Sunday in Pretoria.

Bafana Bafana international Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal of the match in the second half, netting a wonder strike from outside the box.

MATTHEW BOOTH ON MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ APPROACH AGAINST AL AHLY

According to the former defender, Sundowns should not change their style of play and should avoid playing a defending game.

“It’s important that when you play away, you don’t send a defensive message to your team,” Booth told FARPost.

“Sundowns should just play their game. He’s [Rulani Mokwena] got to be careful with his starting line-up.

“As soon as the players see the line-up, there is a message to the players sub-consciously.”

MATTHEW BOOTH ON MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYING WITHOUT AN OUTRIGHT STRIKER

With Sundowns likely to be without key players in attack such as Lucas Ribeiro and talisman Peter Shalulile, Booth believes they have skilled personnel to fill that position.

That’s where the expertise of Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino, Thapelo Maseko, and Junior Mendieta will be needed the most.

“With regards to attackers they’ve got many great attackers. Even if they don’t have an outright number nine, they’ve played with two false nines or a false nine previously.

“The four or five attackers in front roam very easily, there is no set location for attackers. That should be the answer unless Peter Shalulile recovers in time and plays as number nine,” Booth added.

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