Denis Onyango. Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns website.
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has added his voice to his team’s unconvincing start to the 2024 CAF Champions League group stages, admitting that sharing the spoils with AS Maniema Union was not good enough.
The 2016 Champions League winner said this in an interview with Sundowns Media to reflect on the Group opener, which ended in a frustrating 0-0 with the Congolese side at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“We tried our level best. Of course, we needed a goal. As it is in the Champions League, you need to win home games, but we played a team that was sitting back and working hard. They made it very difficult for us to penetrate, to get the chances and to get the three points,” he said.
The Ugandan, who lost his number one spot to Ronwen Williams, insisted that Sundowns players tried their level best to score but AS Maniema Union defended solidly.
In making such remarks, Onyango unconsciously differed with his coach Manqoba Mgqithi who told the press after the match that he had issues with the commitment of his two players to Tuesday’s game. The coach did not disclose the identities of the players in question.
Onyango, an unused substitute in Tuesday’s game, added: “I believe the guys tried so hard to win the game. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the three points. However, one point is okay even though it is not good enough when you are playing at home.”
Earlier, Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile called for calm, promising a return to winning ways when they host Sekhukhune United in a Betway Championship match on Saturday. The South African champions lie second, three points behind leaders Orlando Pirates on the log table.
The Pretoria-giants are struggling as they also lost 2-1to unfancied Magesi FC in the Carling Knock-Out Cup final last Saturday to pile the pressure on Mgqithi.
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