Anthony Laffor has always been considered a match winner since he arrived in South Arica during the winter of 2005. However, he is also known for standing up for his beliefs which has sparked a chain of troubles along the way with his coaches including Pitso Mosimane who referred to the Liberian as being difficult. For all the misconceptions about his character the 31-year-old says the truth is all he ever advocates for.
KICKOFF: How does it feel to be the holder of an African Champions League winners’ medal?
ANTHONY LAFFOR:It is not only about me, but the team. What matters most is keeping my feet on the ground and working hard for my family. Winning the Champions League is already history for me. I will only think about what I have achieved at the end of my career. For now I think I can still win more.
Makes sense, but how was the response from back in Liberia following the Champions League success?
It was mental! I even received congratulatory messages from the president of the country [Ellen Johnson Sirleaf] and the FA. There were even people in the USA and everywhere in the world where there are Liberians, they were so proud because I am the first Liberian to ever win this competition. I spoke to the Minister of Youth and Sport already and there is something in the plans to honour me. But I don’t want to talk about it now until it has happened because we are Africans and things can change at any time.
You are now five years into your stay at Chloorkop. How would you digest that half-decade stay?
It has been wonderful because in those five years I have won five trophies, which I consider a huge achievement. I feel blessed to play for one of the biggest clubs in South Africa, and not only playing but also winning trophies.
How would you describe the contribution you have made in that time?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2017 من Kickoff.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2017 من Kickoff.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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‘There is more coming'
The arrival of German coach Josef Zinnbauer at Orlando Pirates has coincided with Gabadinho Mhango suddenly raising his performance. His seven goals in Zinnbauer’s first four matches have elevated him to double figures already with a loud shout in the top scorers’ award chase. As Malawi’s top export, Mhango knows he is representing many back home, and thus carries the desire to aim high. He spoke to KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo, revealing he believes there is more coming from him.
‘I should have won 12 times'
Samuel Eto’o announced his retirement from professional football in 2019 and leaves behind a legacy that many consider sees him as the greatest African footballer of all time with 18 major titles won for club and country. KICK OFF’s Lorenz Kohler sat down with the four-time CAF African Player of the Year at the Duqesa de Cardona hotel in Barcelona before El Clasico to find out his role in the Castle Lager Africa Fives project and look back on an iconic career that started back in 1997.
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‘We Know How To Win The League'
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Chiefs' Missing Link
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Mano A Mano In Combat With Mano-Mano
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Silencing The Critics
Having joined as a relatively unknown striker, with no eye-popping history of his ability, Gustavo Paez has begun to settle in well at Kaizer Chiefs over the last six months, and is looking to help Amakhosi return to their glory days in the 2017/18 Premier Soccer League season. Everyone took a dig at his journeyman background and they expected to see another failed mercenary unpack their suitcase at Naturena. Oh, how wrong they were …
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Bhongolwethu Jayiya was part of Cape Town City’s whirlwind debut season, contributing an outstanding hat-trick against Chippa United as the Citizens finished an impressive third on the Absa Premiership table. Now that he has made the incredible step up to the Glamour Boys, a life-long dream of his, the pressure to achieve has been turned up a few notches. Here he tells KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo about his journey to Naturena.
