Laffor making his way into the first XI


IN ANY other team in the Premier Soccer League, Anthony Laffor would be first choice. But not at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has Lebohang Mokoena and Elias Pelembe as competitors on the wings.

Laffor joined Downs from SuperSport United in last month and has come on as a substitute in his first two games for the club. On both occasions he immediately made his presence felt with quality crosses and his work rate.

Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens is being patient with Laffor, admitting that the Liberian is making progress towards full fitness and is likely to make a major impact in the remaining games.

Laffor was signed to add strength to a Sundowns midfield that was already working efficiently in the first half of the season.

Neeskens says he "loves" his new player's contribution and reckons Laffor is not far from forcing his way into the starting line-up.

"He's only played two games coming off the bench and I know he is a quality player. I love his work rate and you know when a player joins a new team he wants to work hard and do more than his teammates to get a chance to play," said Neeskens after Sundowns' goalless draw with Jomo Cosmos on Sunday.

Mokoena and Pelembe have been used on the wings where Laffor proved a perfect fit against Amazulu and Cosmos.

Neeskens acknowledges it would be difficult to sacrifice either to bring on Laffor, but it is a possibility.

It could happen as soon as Friday night when Sundowns take on Moroka Swallows at Dobsonville Stadium.

"He started later than the rest of the team before the second half of the season and it is the way we work to start him off the bench in a few games, but the quality is there," said the coach.

"I love the fact that I am forced to make tough decisions with my line-up instead of having to pick a player because there really is no one else to compete for that position."

The former Galatasaray (Turkey) assistant coach said, unlike most of his counterparts, that he would thrive in taking charge of a team that has 24 players who all put in the same amount of effort.

He has that at Sundowns, being able to leave out Katlego Mphela, the country's leading marksman, in previous games and opting for another striker in Nyasha Mushekwi.