Maritzburg United goalkeeper Richard Ofori says that reports linking him to Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates have only inspired him to work even harder.

The Ghanaian keeper had been immense for the Team of Choice this season and has played a vital role in their resurgence under Eric Tinkler after flirting with relegation last season.

His performances have now seemingly caught the attention of the league’s big hitters, with Tinkler already stating that a club would have to break the bank to prise him away from Maritzburg.

Ofori, though, admits that it is every player’s dream to play for a big club.

‘Yeah, every player’s dream is to make sure that he’s getting all opportunities whilst he is playing,’ he said.

‘It’s a very good sign, it means you are working hard. It shows you are working hard, you just have to continue working hard.

‘It’s not that because the team is saying that, you then go to sleep and be comfortable. It’s time for you to work hard and hope everything that teams want from you as a player will come.’

The 26-year-old added that he is happy in South African football and wouldn’t necessarily need to move to Europe.

‘Yeah, we have a good league here. Even my friends in Europe, whenever they call me, they always say this league is fast.

‘So, it’s a good thing that I can go to Europe and play, because it’s one football, but the most important thing is where do you enjoy playing. The peace of mind is very important, [more] than anything,’ he concluded.