The South African winger has reflected on a rollercoaster campaign in the Cypriot First Division, opening up about the hurdles his side faced over the last year. Despite personal success in front of goal, the Stars of Africa Academy graduate remains focused on the collective shortcomings that prevented the Blue-Yellows from reaching their full potential.
Before last season, very few casual fans would have been aware of Pafos FC's existence. The Cypriot outfit played in Europe for the first time in their 11-year history, reaching the last 16 of the Conference League, and followed up that impressive run by clinching their maiden league title. The latter achievement earned Pafos a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds, and helped attract one of the most famous footballers of his generation.
The forward has been finding the net with an impressive regularity recently, and his form has been picking up even though he was not named in South Africa's AFCON team. If he keeps finding the back of the net, then he will make himself hard to ignore, especially at a time when the World Cup finals lie ahead for Bafana. To do well in the global bonanza, Hugo Broos is expected to pick the best, and the forward only needs to maintain his form in Europe.
Guillermo Ochoa’s AEL Limassol debut ended in disaster, as the Mexican goalkeeper conceded five goals in a heavy 5-0 loss to Omonia on Monday. The setback capped a turbulent summer in which Ochoa served as a Gold Cup backup and saw a move to Spanish side Burgos collapse before landing in Cyprus to chase regular minutes.
Former Chelsea and Brazil star David Luiz has made a shock return to European football with Champions League club Pafos FC in Cyprus. The defender left Europe in 2021 after spending two years at Arsenal. He took in spells with Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Fortaleza, but is now back in Europe at the age of 38.
