Laffor fixated on repeating African success

Sundowns striker Anthony Laffor (right) immediately focused on the task ahead, after his goal on Saturday helped them beat St George 1-0 and reach the Caf Champions League quarterfinals.

It is a sign of the side’s confidence in Africa these days that simply reaching the quarterfinals is not good enough. They clearly want to retain the title they won in dramatic style in 2016.

The victory over St George means the Brazilians are guaranteed a place in the last eight, whatever happens in their final Group C match against AS Vita on Sunday evening.

Laffor netted a typically-cool finish with just five minutes left in Addis Ababa.

“All our games in the Champions League are important. The coach told us before the game that this was the only opportunity that we would get, that is why we kept our feet on the ground. We got a chance and I scored, it was never about me, it was about the team.”

Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango, meanwhile, had to keep a cool head in Ethiopia against a side he played for between 2005 and 2006. And the Ugandan shot-stopper certainly did this as he stopped a Salahdin Said penalty on the stroke of half-time to spur on Masandawana.

“I’ve obviously played for Saint George, but when I came back it was about Sundowns. I thank the supporters because when I came out to check the pitch they clapped for me. It was very emotional for me to come back. But at the same time I had to put emotions aside and focused on the game, as much as I love Saint George, I had to do the job and the team (Sundowns) worked very hard and managed to get all the points,” said Onyango.