Onyango: Sundowns Not Keeping Tabs On Pirates In Title Race
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says they are not keeping an eye on Betway Premiership title challengers Orlando Pirates, with the Brazilians now only needing a point to clinch the championship.
Masandawana will tackle Chippa United at the Buffalo City Municipality Stadium on Wednesday evening (19:30). The two sides met last week in the capital with Sundowns claiming maximum points with a comfortable 3-0 win.
Miguel Cardoso’s charges head into the game with 67 points amassed at the summit of the table as they enjoy a healthy 12-point lead over second-placed Buccaneers, who secured a 3-0 win over Golden Arrows in Jose Riveiro’s final match in charge on Tuesday.
Ahead of the encounter in East London, the former Uganda international urged his teammates to maintain their high standards to pip the Chilli Boys and confirm a record-extending eighth consecutive league title.
“The team is looking ready for the game because we know the task is to win the game and continue with our journey. There is nothing that we are letting loose because we know the importance of winning the game,” Onyango said.
“We believe that if we win the game, we will get much closer to the championship, so for us it is all about doing what we are supposed to do and winning the game and staying positive and not taking anything for granted.”
Onyango went on to affirm that the Tshwane giants are focused on their own race, not keeping track of the Soweto giants as they aim to use the remaining domestic matches to prepare for their crucial two-legged CAF Champions League final against Pyramids FC of Egypt.
“As a team, we are looking at winning our games because we are also building up to the Champions League final. So, the more we win, the more confident we will be going to the final of the Champions League,” the veteran shot-stopper added.
“So, we are not looking at people who are behind us, we are only looking at our challenge, and the challenge at the moment is Chippa United, and also playing next weekend. At the moment, we are only focused on winning the game and having the momentum going into the final of the Champions League.”
Onyango, who has enjoyed a trophy-laden stay at Chloorkop since joining the club in July 2011, has so far made 13 appearances across all competitions, conceding just four goals and keeping nine clean sheets in the process.
