South Africa’s domestic football resumed on Friday and Saturday night after the international break, with the 2016 Football Association Cup Quarterfinals.
Fresh from helping Liberia with back to back wins against Djibouti, skipper Anthony Laffor of the Sundowns and striker Kpah Sherman returned to help their clubs reach the semifinals of the FA Cup.
There was a second successive victory for Laffor, whose club advanced to semi-finals after a comfortable 3-1 win over National First Division club, Mbombela United.
Meanwhile, Sherman’s club bowed out of the competition after a 1-0 home defeat to Premier Soccer League side, Free State Star.
Laffor, who’s undergoing a minor injury, watched from the stands as goals from Keagan Dolly, Cuthbert Malajila, and Siyanda Zwane helped the Sundowns advance to the semifinals.
“The win was an important one. We never underestimated, we play regularly, and we got the win. We have advanced to the semi-finals, but it’s not where we want to be. As a team, we will work harder to move to the final and become champions, that is our goal,” Laffor stated in an interview with The Bush Chicken.
The Sundowns have been in impressive form this season. The “Brazilians,” as they are commonly called, are seated on top of South Africa ABSA Premiership table with 52 points from 23 games.
For Sherman, his side Santos fought hard for the first 90 minutes but failed to find the back of the net. In the extra 30 minutes of play, an own goal from the 29-year-old South African defender Ricardo Skippers was enough to see Free States Star grabbed a narrow win from home.
Sherman’s club, Santos, will be hoping to get a win when they face Vasco da Gama on April 10, in continuation of the 2015-2016 South Africa National First Division.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
