Onyango And Zwane Stand On The Cusp Of Historic Second Champions League Title
Mamelodi Sundowns legends Denis Onyango and Themba Zwane stand on the threshold of unprecedented greatness.
With the CAF Champions League second-leg final looming large, the veteran duo could become the first players in Premier Soccer League (PSL) history to win the continent’s ultimate club prize twice with a South African team.
Onyango and Zwane were vital cogs in the famous Sundowns machine that conquered Africa a decade ago, defeating Egyptian giants Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate in 2016.
That historic triumph—a 3-0 masterclass in Pretoria followed by a gritty 1-0 loss in Cairo—made Sundowns only the second South African club to lift the trophy, following Orlando Pirates’ legendary 1995 run.
Now, history calls again. The Brazilians face Moroccan powerhouses FAR Rabat at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Sunday, carrying a slender 1-0 advantage secured in Pretoria last weekend.
Overcoming the Moroccan Hoodoo
Sundowns have historically struggled on Moroccan soil, failing to secure a victory in past Champions League battles against the likes of Wydad Casablanca. However, under Miguel Cardoso, they do not need a outright win in Rabat; a score draw will be enough to see Masandawana lift the continental crown for the second time.
For Onyango—already the most decorated player in PSL history with an astonishing 12 league titles, the CAF Super Cup, the African Football League, two Nedbank Cups, two Telkom Knockouts, and the MTN8—this moment carries immense weight.
Speaking to legendary commentator Mark Gleeson in Rabat, the 41-year-old goalkeeper admitted that lifting the trophy in Morocco would be an unforgettable milestone.
“It will be incredible, amazing,” Onyango said.
“It is a great trophy, but this is also a completely different generation of players. Winning it in Morocco would be incredible because so much football history has been happening in this country lately, with the Africa Cup of Nations and the Under-17 tournaments. For us to lift it here and take it back to South Africa will be massive for the club.”
“Defending Like Wild Dogs”
Onyango, who has racked up 285 appearances for the Chloorkop-based outfit, warned his teammates that they must fiercely protect their aggregate lead.
It is a harsh lesson learned from last season’s heartbreak, where a 1-1 home draw against Pyramids FC led to a 2-1 second-leg defeat, ending their campaign 3-2 on aggregate.
“In 2016, we had a massive advantage with three goals and a clean sheet,” Onyango reflected.
“But the game has changed lately; there was no VAR back then, and there is VAR now. We just have to use the experience we gained in our recent campaigns, especially last season when we didn’t get the desired result at home.
“This time around, we got the home result, and we need to defend it. But by defending, I mean we also need to score. We have to play the game as it comes and ensure we don’t concede, because a clean sheet is vital. We are a good team that has been scoring away from home, and I think this final is going to be something very special for the supporters.”
