Tshwane - Anthony Laffor says Mamelodi Sundowns must put their CAF Champions League semifinal victory into the back of their minds, and focus on what's ahead: two cup finals.
Having already claimed their spot in the 2016 MTN8 final, the Brazilians put up a superb display to beat Zambian side Zesco United 2-0 in Attridgeville on Saturday night, earning the club a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the CAF Champions League final.
There had been speculation in the media last week as to whether Laffor would start the game. The Liberian international did, and went on to open the scoring with a brilliantly taken goal at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
But he was not interested in taking any glory himself, preferring to thank his team-mates, and coach Pitso Mosimane, for their combined role in the win which sees the Tshwane club reaching the Champions League final for the second time in their history (the last occassion was 2001).
“First of all I just want to say thanks to the wonderful people who came to support Mamelodi Sundowns, it was a teamwork today,” said Laffor.
“I just want to give credit to my teammates and the goal I scored, it's not about me, because we worked on it, the coach told me to take two touches, and it was wonderful that I took two touches before I scored that goal.
“I just want to say thanks for the opportunity that the coach gave me today because it was all about belief and thank God that I believe in myself and I scored and I helped the team today, it was wonderful.” The Brazilians will face Egyptian outfit Zamalek in the two-legged final, due to take place in the middle of October.
“It's important to stay focused, it's important because now we need to go back to Egypt, it's not going to be easy in Egypt but we just need to keep our feet on the ground, it's not over yet, listen to what our coaches want us to do,” said Laffor.
“We still have our MTN8 cup final against Wits on Saturday, we need to concentrate because it's not going to be easy. What happened today is history, we'll see what happens on Saturday and then we'll think about the Champions League final.”
African News Agency