As South Africa celebrates a decade of democracy, we look back on the life and legacy of one of the country’s greatest footballers, Matthew Booth. The South African defender made a name for himself in the early 2000s by helping his country to a series of international successes and captaining the South African national team. Here, we look at his career and the accomplishments that made him a legend.
Early Career
Born in 1976, Matthew Booth began his professional career in 1995 when he signed with the South African Premier Soccer League side SuperSport United. The then-19-year-old made an immediate impact, helping the team to a second-place finish in the league and winning the South African Player of the Year award in 1997. In 1998, he was signed by English Premier League side Fulham, where he went on to play for two seasons.
In 2000, Booth returned to South Africa and signed with Kaizer Chiefs. He was a major part of the team’s success, helping the side to win the South African Premier Division in 2001 and 2003. In 2004, he was named South African Player of the Year for the second time and was also named captain of the national team.
International Success
Booth’s leadership skills were instrumental in helping South Africa qualify for their first ever World Cup in 2002. The team went on to reach the quarter-finals, with Booth’s tireless defending and leadership playing a major role in the team’s success. He was also part of the South African squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2004 African Cup of Nations, and was named in the tournament’s All-Star team.
Booth was also part of the South African side that reached the final of the 2008 African Cup of Nations, and was an integral part of the team that won the championship in 2010. He was named in the tournament’s All-Star team for a second time, and was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for his contributions to South African football.
