SURPRISE Moriri's long injury layoff has made the midfielder appreciate football even more.

SURPRISE Moriri's long injury layoff has made the midfielder appreciate football even more.

Moriri was out of the game for about six months and says time on the sidelines made him realise how much he loved the sport.

"I made my return against AmaZulu last year and it was a good feeling to be back, I felt like I was playing my first PSL game. I had been out for a very long time after damaging my ligaments but I was just grateful to be back," Moriri said.

The injury cost the gifted Downs linkman a place in Bafana Bafana's Confederations Cup squad in June.

"It was disappointing at first but I had to accept it. These things happen and are part of the game so I had to quickly forget about the Confederations Cup nightmare and concentrate on my recovery and to do well for my club," he said.

The former Absa Premiership player of the season and players' player of the season has warned those who have written him off that he will be back with a vengeance.

"People will always talk and one has to take even the negative positively. I'll work even harder than before to regain my form because I've realised how much people value me and the only way to repay them for their support is through playing well for my club."

Though he has ambitions of playing at the 2010 World Cup finals, Moriri said that was not his top priority right now. "I first have to concentrate on doing well for Sundowns because that will automatically mean I stand a chance of being recalled to Bafana Bafana."