LAFFOR IS ON FIRE!
... a man on fire!
The man Pitso Mosimane calls “difficult” has been making the life of Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach easy lately. Mosimane has Anthony Laffor to thank for the milestones that Sundowns achieved in the last two weeks. Granted football is a team sport. But on a number of occasions it is individual brilliance that proves the difference. That’s what has happened at Sundowns, with Laffor standing out to help the Brazilians advance to the finals of the MTN8 and the CAF Champions League. Laffor put on a great show by providing the assist for Khama Billiat’s away goal against Zesco United in Ndola two weeks ago. Last week he scored the only goal as Sundowns eliminated Chippa United to make the final of the MTN8. The Liberian international was at it again this weekend as he opened the scoring against Zesco as Sundowns qualified for the CAF Champions League final for the first time in 15 years. Part of the reasons Mosimane labeled Laffor ‘difficult’ is that the attacker often blows hot and cold. A couple of years ago Mosimane described Laffor as playing “with his handbrake up” Laffor is not worried about Mosimane’s utterances. “I think since I have been in South Africa, he is the first coach to say I am difficult. I worked with Gavin (Hunt) and Jomo (Sono). None of them said I am difficult. Some of these things you don’t need to talk about. You just have to listen to what coaches want. I am here to work and I don’t need to get into conflict with anybody,” said the multiple PSL championship winner. Laffor has seen little game time at Sundowns as he has been used regularly as an impact player or a super sub. The man from Monrovia is not perturbed by the status quo. “If you are not playing it doesn’t mean you are a bad player, you know. I always listen to the coach’s instruction and I am here to help the team. I just want to thank God for the opportunity,” said Laffor. In fact on Saturday night, Laffor starting was something of a surprise since Mosimane had told the media a few days ago that it was difficult for the 31-year-old to start and play 90 minutes. Ironically, Laffor went on to play 90 minutes and he didn’t put a foot wrong. He was in his element both in offence and in defence when needed. “It was a surprise to be in the starting line-up, but the most important thing for me was to keep my feet on the ground. I have always been waiting for my chance. I read an article where the coach said I cannot play 90 minutes but I played 90 minutes. I want to say thanks to him for playing me for 90 minutes.” Mosimane will be hoping that Laffor comes to the party one more time for Sundowns in their quest to win the MTN8 and the CAF Champions League. Sundowns will play Bidvest Wits in the final of the season-opening tourney at Mbombela Stadium this coming Saturday before taking on Zamalek in the continental final on October 14. “It’s a good feeling to be in the finals but it’s not over yet. We just need to keep our feet on the ground because we have got Zamalek. We have been on a roll for 15 months. Since the league ended, we didn’t stop. We continued to play. If you have to be the best, you have to compete against the best. We are in two finals so we will see what happens,” said Laffor.