Onyango urges Sundowns to keep their heads in AFL final
'It's very important for us to keep the players grounded and focused on the game,' said the veteran Sundowns goalkeeper.
Denis Onyango has plenty of continental experience that he can pass onto his Sundowns teammates. Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango has urged his teammates not to play the occasion in the final of the African Football League, but rather focus on the game itself.
The stakes are high with the inaugural champions of the AFL set to be crowned on Sunday at Loftus Versfeld.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca will square off once again after last week’s first leg ended 2-1 in favour of the Moroccan giants.
The Brazilians have to score at least one goal to give themselves a chance of lifting the lucrative competition that comes with a $4-million (over 76-million) cheque.
“It’s very important for me and a few senior players like Themba Zwane who is the captain of the team,” the decorated Onyango who was part of the Sundowns team that won the 2016 CAF Champions League said to The Citizen.
“It’s just a few of us who are remaining in the team that lifted the Champions League a few years back. Our role is to share our experiences with the young ones and make them aware of the magnitude of the game.
“Of course we must play the game and not the occasion because as youngsters they might get carried away so easily by the occasion. So it’s very important for us to keep the players grounded and focused on the game. Help the team be confident that it’s possible regardless of how tough it gets. We’ve lost one domestic cup final already but we are looking to lift this one to end the year on a high.”
Away goal bonus
Onyango believes the away goal in Casablanca will prove to be crucial. Sundowns will look to avoid another cup final defeat after coming up short against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final a month ago.
“The magnitude of the game is huge because it’s the final of a continental tournament,” Onyango concluded.
“That in itself makes it a huge game because of the eight clubs that have been chosen by CAF to play in the African football league.
“The most important thing is the away goal we scored in Casablanca. Of course, we lost the game but with the away goal, we still have it in our hands because all we need is one goal in Pretoria for us to win the trophy but it’s not going to be easy.”
It remains to be seen if forwards Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro will be fit for the game as they continue to recover from their respective injuries. Kick-off is at 3 pm.
