Onyango enjoys long stay in Rwanda
Downs hope to settle CAF tie early
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says their early arrival in Rwanda was a good idea ahead of today’s clash against Rayon Sports in Kigali.
The two sides will meet at Amahoro Stadium (6pm SA time) in the first leg of their first round CAF Champions League tie and the Ugandan international said preparations have gone well.
Sundowns have been in Rwanda since Saturday.
“It was early for us to come here, but it’s good for the players to focus on the game and acclimatise also to the weather. It’s summer in South Africa, here it’s been raining almost every day,” Onyango said from Rwanda.
“I think it was good for us to come early, rest and have peace of mind – stay away from distractions and focus on the game.”
The 32-year-old also pointed out that it’s crucial they get the job done away.
“We will try to get a positive result here, so that we don’t get a hassle in the return leg in Pretoria,” he insisted. “We’ve seen before where we struggled in our home games and did well in the away games.”
Sundowns have been training on astroturf, but will play on a grass pitch. This doesn’t bother Onyango and the team.
“We won’t complain about the pitch. We will only focus on the game and getting a result,” Onyango added.
The Amahoro Stadium has a capacity of 30 000 and it’s expected to be packed since Ryan Sports are one of the best supported teams in the country.
Meanwhile, Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City are also in action tonight. Wits take on Desportivo Agosto in Angola (5pm), while City face Costa do Sol in Mozambique (7pm). New Baroka first-choice goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini is determined to make the No1 jersey his own after starting Bakgaga’s last four league matches.
After six seasons in the ABC Motsepe League [third tier], playing for Amajuba and Alexandra United between 2009 and 2015, and at 26 Dlamini is a late bloomer in the Absa Premiership.
He vows to never look back after Baroka gave him his break this term.
“I want to remain consistent because I cannot afford to misuse this opportunity. My objective is to make the No1 jersey mine and help the club finish inside the top five,” Dlamini told Sowetan.
“I am here to work for my family and I cannot let them down. Playing in the Premiership had always been my dream but things did not work out in the past.
“I am ready to make up for lost time after failing trials at other top-flight clubs,” added the lad from Newcastle, northern KwasZulu-Natal.
Dlamini started the season as Baroka’s third-choice shotstopper, behind experienced Virgil Vries and now released Fifa Puskas Award nominee Oscarine Masuluke.
He has kept three clean sheets in five games.
“I always knew my chance would come. I think my commitment and hunger pushed me to the limits to eventually be given a chance to play.
“I will not rest on my laurels but I do not want to put myself under pressure.”
Dlamini joined the Limpopo-based outfit from Alexandra United in 2015 after impressing the club’s chairman Khurishi Mphahlele during trial.
He said he trained for four days during his trial before the club signed him.