Anthony Laffor praised the team’s hard work and effort after he scored the crucial away goal against Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda.

The home side scored a goal, which would have given them the edge, but it was Sundowns they were playing against.

‘Scoring that goal was not about me. It was all about the team. We fought as a team, and won as a team,’ Laffor said.

‘We knew it was going to be tough, particularly after they scored. But being African Champions and failing to progress was not an option for us. We fought and looked for that one chance, and we scored,’ he said.

Laffor said that the coach asked him only if he was ready for battle, and he said he was and the coach sent him on for Anele Ngconca.

‘The other guys like (Yannick) Zakri, Percy (Tau) and Mshishi (Themba Zwane) were playing well and scoring was inevitable. We just needed to keep our composure. In the end, we got what we wanted.

‘Laffor reserved special praise for teammate Percy Tau.

‘As a young South African Percy has shown amazing character. He has shown hunger to do well, and he’s only 19 or twenty, but he works hard for the team. I take my hat off for him and only hope he stays humble,’ he said.

Tau also had praise for Laffor.

‘He is a big player. Big players play well in big games, seize the moment and score,’ Tau said of his teammate.

‘We fought hard as a team, and we knew that if we played our football we will score. We knew we would get at least one. We are, after all African champions, and just needed to believe in ourself.’

‘When they scored, we knew it was going to be even harder, but we kept to our game plan, played football, and the goal came.’

Tau said he was inspired by the shouts of ‘Percy’ from local fans as they took to the field.

‘When Ugandan fans shouted my name, I felt humbled.’

A 10-year-old fan wanted to meet and shake Tau’s hand, and the player they have named ‘Sledge’ presented him with a jersey.

‘I am inspired by these young fans, and feel honoured that I have inspired somebody. This youngster wants to play soccer in South Africa and play alongside me. I hope he does well,’ said Tau.