South African-based Anthony Snoti Laffor may not have had the opportunity to play his professional soccer career in some of the world’s best soccer leagues. However, the 31-year-old is continuing to enjoy success as a professional footballer in South Africa, where he has been playing since 2008.
The fast moving attacker scored a hat-trick to help the Mamelodi Sundowns beat University of Pretoria 3-0 at the Tuks Stadium. The victory confirmed the Sundowns as champions of the 2015-2016 South Africa ABSA Premiership with two round of matches left.
Laffor made his return from injury in a 0-0 draw away at Ajax Cape Town last weekend.
In the championship clinching game, he scored his first goal of the match in the third minute before adding his second 17 minutes later. There were no additional goals in the first half as Sundowns went to the break.
Back from the break, Laffor completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute with a superb strike from within the penalty area. From seventeen league matches, Laffor has scored eight times. The Sundowns clinched their seventh league title while Laffor got his fourth.
In 2008, Laffor joined South African club Jomo Cosmos, where he played a single season before joining Supersports United in 2009.
At Supersports, Laffor made himself a top notch player in the ABSA Premiership, helping the Supersports with back-to-back league titles before joining the Sundowns in 2012, where he won his third league title in 2013.
With four league titles to his name, Laffor is just one title away from equaling George Weah’s title winning record.
The legendary forward won five league titles during his playing time. He started with the Liberian Premiership with Mighty Barrolle in 1986 before winning it again with Invincible Eleven in 1987.
While playing for Paris Saint-Germain in France, he captured the 1993-1994 French League One title before winning the Italian Seria A twice with AC Milan.
Laffor dedicated his success to teammates, fans, and family, and has vowed to do more.
“Today is just one of the happiest day of my life. It’s a great feeling winning the league title. It has been a long journey with many ups and downs, but with God above, we managed our way through. We needed the win, and fortunately for us, we got it. It was a team effort,†Laffor said in conversation with The Bush Chicken after the match. “Now, with the title, hopefully, we will come back strong for more achievements.”
Featured photo courtesy of Anthony Laffor
