DEFENDING Caf Champions League champs Mamelodi Sundowns had to dig deep to edge into the group phase of the tournament at the weekend.
A goal by super sub Anthony Laffor earned the Brazilians a 1-1 draw against Kampala Capital City Authority in the Ugandan capital on Saturday. Laffor’s goal in the 80th minute gave the African champions passage into the next round on a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Laffor’s experience played a key role in helping Downs become continental champions last year and he came up trumps for head coach Pitso Mosimane once again.
Said Laffor: “It’s not about me. We won as a team. We knew it would be hard (after our 2-1 win at home in the first leg), but we showed spirit and character. We knew as African champions we had to progress and we had to fight for it. Even when we went a goal down we kept our composure. We showed that hunger to go through. As African champs we could not fail.”
On his late strike that cancelled Geoffrey Sserumkuma’s goal for Kampala, he said: “I knew we would only get one chance to score and we took it. When the coaches asked me if I was ready to come on, I said yes, I’m ready. My aim is always to work hard for Sundowns. They look after me and my family, and this is the best way to repay them.”
Laffor praised Downs’ budding star striker Percy Tau: “Percy has incredible hunger and is willing to learn. I encourage him. I tell him not to get frustrated when he doesn’t score, goals will come.”
Said Tau: “I learn from big players like Laffor. I still have to focus on the big picture and listen to Laffor.”
Tau admitted they had to dig deep but had no doubt Downs’ experience would guide them: “We had to fight hard. It was even more difficult when they scored. But we were always confident we could score. We are African champions and showed that spirit against Kampala.”
- Platinum Stars reached the next round of the Caf Confederation Cup by beating Vipers, another side from Uganda, 3-1 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday to win 3-2 on aggregate.
