Fifa Club World Cup show convinced me to join Al Ain, says striker Laba
DUBAI — Togolese international Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba revealed that the Al Ain’s spectacular run in the Fifa Club World Cup last December convinced him to join ‘The Boss.’
The 13-time Arabian Gulf League champions came up with a stirring performance to reach the final, only to go down to 13time European champions Real Madrid. The garden city club had beaten Team Wellington, Esperance de Tunis and River Plate en route to the title tilt.
And Laba, capped 24 times by Togo, said that it was a huge factor in him agreeing terms with the UAE club. Laba was courted by Egyptian heavyweights and fierce rivals Al Ahly and Zamalek but the 27-year-old, who guided Moroccan club RS Berkane to the CAF Confederation Cup final this season, opted for Al Ain.
“I’m proud and very happy to join Al Ain, which for me, is one of the best clubs in the world,” said Laba. “It is a big club and Al Ain’s participation in the Fifa Club World Cup showed the level of football in the UAE and the Middle East. I was motivated to join Al Ain after I watched their matches in the Club World Cup,” he added.
And Laba hoped that he can leave a lasting imprint like Ghana international Asamoah Gyan did at the club. “Asamoah Gyan is one of top football stars from Africa and he had a successful time at Al Ain. So, my ambition is to help Al Ain win titles on the domestic front as well as the continent. I have made the right decision to join Al Ain,” said Laba, who will don the No.9 jersey previously worn by Swedish international Marcus Berg.
Gyan won three League titles, a President’s Cup and the Arabian Gulf Super Cup during his four seasons with the club.