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Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns defender Matthew Booth believes it is vital that his side comes away victorious against SuperSport United this weekend.
The two Tshwane rivals clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night and Booth is looking forward to adding more points to the Brazilians' excellent start to the campaign, while at the same time stressing the importance of the fixture.
"Derbies by themselves are always extremely important," the 33-year-old exclusively told Football365.co.za. "You get to rule the roost for a while and get the bragging rights.
"However, this one is even more exaggerated as we are playing against the league champions and the importance is heightened.
"We have got off to a brilliant start and we want to keep that momentum going, so it is important that we beat them tomorrow (Saturday)."
"I think our chances (of winning the match) are excellent - if I didn't think so I wouldn't play the game," he added.
"We have a brilliant chance to win, we have a squad packed full of talent as usual and more importantly we are on a high. We are confident due to our six points we have got after two games."
Some coaches may take a different approach to training ahead of big matches, but Booth admits that it has been business as usual on the part of head coach Antonio Lopez Habas at Chloorkop.
"We have stuck to the basics because he doesn't change his routine very much and quite rightly," added Booth.
"We have done everything correctly to this point so why should we change that?"
Many are predicting that Sundowns are equipped to end SuperSport's dominance and claim the league title for themselves this season.
Booth agrees with those predictions and feels that the club finally has the right coaching staff in place to do just that.
"Every year we have got an excellent chance of winning the league but I think this year we have got a bit more consistency in the coaching department and that could stand us in good stead for the rest of the season," he said.
On a personal level, Booth admits that he has been happy with his performances but pointed to the league table as evidence of what is really important to him.
"I am extremely happy with my form, particularly with the Platinum Stars game," the Cape Town-born defender added.
"Every game so far this season I have been happy with the outcome, but more importantly there are six points on the board."
The two Tshwane rivals clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night and Booth is looking forward to adding more points to the Brazilians' excellent start to the campaign, while at the same time stressing the importance of the fixture.
"Derbies by themselves are always extremely important," the 33-year-old exclusively told Football365.co.za. "You get to rule the roost for a while and get the bragging rights.
"However, this one is even more exaggerated as we are playing against the league champions and the importance is heightened.
"We have got off to a brilliant start and we want to keep that momentum going, so it is important that we beat them tomorrow (Saturday)."
"I think our chances (of winning the match) are excellent - if I didn't think so I wouldn't play the game," he added.
"We have a brilliant chance to win, we have a squad packed full of talent as usual and more importantly we are on a high. We are confident due to our six points we have got after two games."
Some coaches may take a different approach to training ahead of big matches, but Booth admits that it has been business as usual on the part of head coach Antonio Lopez Habas at Chloorkop.
"We have stuck to the basics because he doesn't change his routine very much and quite rightly," added Booth.
"We have done everything correctly to this point so why should we change that?"
Many are predicting that Sundowns are equipped to end SuperSport's dominance and claim the league title for themselves this season.
Booth agrees with those predictions and feels that the club finally has the right coaching staff in place to do just that.
"Every year we have got an excellent chance of winning the league but I think this year we have got a bit more consistency in the coaching department and that could stand us in good stead for the rest of the season," he said.
On a personal level, Booth admits that he has been happy with his performances but pointed to the league table as evidence of what is really important to him.
"I am extremely happy with my form, particularly with the Platinum Stars game," the Cape Town-born defender added.
"Every game so far this season I have been happy with the outcome, but more importantly there are six points on the board."
