Ghanaian Emmanuel Baffour recently
made his league debut for Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend after coming on 4
minutes into the second half against Maritzburg United.
Baffour who joined the South
Africa PSL side on the back of his Glo Ghana Premier League goal topping
exploits for New Edubiase, however could not help Sundowns avoid a second
defeat in just three league games as they fell 1-2 at home.
Competition for playing time
is at its apex at Sundowns who have about nine strikers, all desiring to play
every time, but Baffour is adamant he will take his spot.
“No I don’t feel small or intimidated because even in Ghana
national team I play with top quality players like Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari
and many other players. It is good to play with top players because it helps
you as a player. So I am ready for the challenge. I am always praying for that
to happen,” Baffour told a South Africa website.
The striker who has since lost his place in the Ghana senior
team continued: “You see supporters and management will expect me to do well
and show them that I am here to play at highest level. The competition is good
not just for me but for the whole team.
“So I am going to work hard all the way. I just have to keep on praying. I know
there
are many good strikers here but if the coach gives me a chance then I will grab
it with both hands and make sure I perform at my best. I want to be in the
first 11.”
The Ghanaian who made the switch along with New Edubiase teammate
Mumuni Abubakar, is also eyeing silverware with the ‘Brazilians’ as Sundowns
are nicknamed:
“I was the goal king in
Ghana last season scoring 21 goals and that’s when I was told that Sundowns
were interested in me. And that’s how the deal was done. I had never played
football outside Ghana so I didn’t know much about football in South Africa,
but now that I am here I will do my best.”