1st, 2nd – it matters not
DOWNS STAR: BRAZILIANS WOULD STILL QUALIFY AT THE END OF THE DAY
Michaelson Gumede
Whether Mamelodi Sundowns finish at the top of their Caf Champions League Group A or as runners-up, it matters very little for Anthony Laffor, who insists he will be happy just as long as Masandawana advance to the knockout stages.
Sundowns are at the top of the standings, ahead of Wydad Casablanca, and they stand a chance to move closer to the knockout stages this evening if they manage to win away to Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas. Downs already have one over the Ivorians as they beat them 3-1 at home earlier this month.
“We have set our goals from the beginning of the season and our objective was to advance from the group and we whether we are No 1 or No 2 we still qualify at the end of the day,” said Laffor.
The Liberian international does not anticipate Mimosas to come with a similar approach to that in Tshwane, saying the hosts will need to take the game to Bafana Ba Style.
“It is going to be difficult but they are going to need to come out. They were sitting back at home and we scored three goals but now they need to win and it is not going to be as difficult as the first game,” said Laffor, who is happy that his team-mates have rediscovered their scoring form but insists there is room for more goals.
“The coach is always talking to us about scoring goals and the goals have been coming so I think we have been doing the right thing, but we are not satisfied. I think we can do more because we are missing so many chances but the most important thing is to get the three points.”
Sundowns left for the Ivory Coast last week, a day after thumping Black Leopards 3-0, and have been camping in Abidjan for five days. He says travelling immediately after local games has become the norm.
“Whenever there is a Champions League game after an Absa Premiership game we are always on the next flight out so it is not something new.
“Our families already know we have to do this and that to travel. Every player in South Africa wants to be in this space that we are in. Every player wants to play continental football and travel the continent.
“We are privileged that we are in that space.”