Onyango Believes Sundowns Can Win Champions League
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango is confident that the Brazilians can win the CAF Champions League this season, following in the footsteps of their 2016 triumph under the guidance of Pitso Mosimane.
Since the 2016 triumph, Sundowns have been struggling to win this competition as they have been losing in the quarterfinals and semifinals, while last season they were eliminated in the final by the Egyptian giants Pyramids, who won their first Champions League title.
This season, the Brazilians are currently sitting level on top of Group C with four points after two games.
With their next game against Al Hilal, who are tied on four points, on Friday, Onyango has set sights on the Champions League for this season.
“I think the boys, they all know what to do, and last season we were very willing to win the Champions League,” Onyango said.
“I believe that this season we can do this because we have moved closer. We have been knocked out in the semifinal of this competition, and last season it was in the final, so we are getting there, and the boys know the task ahead is very difficult, but we have to keep fighting.
“This tournament is very strong, and you will never know who is stronger because even stronger teams lose.
“The mentality must always be willing to win and get good results, even away as well, even though it is always difficult to play away.
“For me, the message has always been to fight for the badge and change the badge on how it looks now and add another star.
“It is for them to make history and lift the team because it is very important to try and always get good for the team, and that is what they always do. There are a lot of youngsters in the team, but we also had youngsters like Percy Tau before who were fighting.
“But I believe that we have the same quality now to change the club, and with this tournament.”
Onyango and Themba Zwane remain the last men standing in the squad that won the Champions League for the Brazilians in 2016, as many players have retired while others have moved to other clubs.
Kennedy Mweene, on the other hand, is still with Sundowns, but now he is the goalkeeper coach for the club.
Putting focus on the game against Al Hilal, Onyango revealed that this will be a really tough game, but they know the task at hand.
“The journey continues with the Champions League, and for me, I think it is an exciting time for the boys because it has been a while since they have been on the pitch in the Champions League,” Onyango added.
“But the journey continues as I said, and it is still a long way, but the most important thing is to win the home game. If we can do that, I think 10 or 11 points will guarantee that you go to the knockout stages, but to do that, you need to win your home games, and the boys understand the task.
“This will be a very difficult game, a very difficult opponent with a team that has almost 90% players who were in the AFCON. They know each other very well, but we know what to do at home because we want the club to go to the knockout stages.”
