Onyango Makes Title Declaration Ahead Of Richards Bay Clash
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has made a Betway Premiership title declaration ahead of their encounter against Richards Bay at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday (19:30) as the season slowly draws to a close.
The Brazilians are fresh from ousting Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League semi-final in Cairo on Friday, to set up a meeting with mega-rich Pyramids of Egypt in a two-legged final set to take place on 24 May in Pretoria before a return leg up North on 1 June.
With games coming thick and fast amid a congested schedule, the veteran shot-stopper says juggling continental and domestic duties hasn’t been an easy task for Masandawana as they aim to compete on all fronts, including retaining the league title.
“Of course, it’s not an easy task for the boys, but we take every game the way it comes, one game at a time. Right now, we are focusing on the Betway Premiership because we must lift the trophy,” Onyango confidently said.
“When it’s time for the Champions League, we will also switch focus to the Champions League, but every game is a final for us, and we hope that we win all our remaining games.”
On facing the relegation-threatened KZN outfit, Onyango cautioned, claiming that maximum points won’t be a walk in the park with the Natal Rich Boys desperate for every point.
However, the 39-year-old goalkeeper believes the Chloorkop-based side has enough quality to reign supreme in the tie.
“Very difficult game, especially that we were playing in the Champions League and coming back from a very difficult game. We have to switch our focus to the Richards Bay game; they are a very hard-running team,” he added.
“They are fighting for their lives, and we know that, but we have the quality, and we must stay focused as a team and try as much as possible to get results at home in our remaining games.”
The former Uganda international went on to urge the Masandawana faithful to come out in numbers to support the team in the closing and crucial stages of the campaign, insisting the 12th man’s presence is needed more than ever.
“For the Sundowns supporters, first of all, I will thank them for being with us the whole season and they have pushed us through thick and thin, and this is where we need them the most, especially that we have four remaining home matches in the Betway Premiership and two away from home,” continued Onyango, who joined Sundowns in 2011 from Mpumalanga Black Aces.
“We need them to come in big numbers and support the team to finish the season strong because this is what they wanted and we are almost there, so they must come in numbers and support the boys and push us through the finish line because we need them as always and this is where we need them more.”
Miguel Cardoso’s charges are currently at the summit of the Betway Premiership standings with 55 points accumulated from 22 league outings. The Tshwane giants have won all six of their meetings against Richards Bay in all competitions.
