‘Right now we are focusing on the Betway Premiership,’ said the Sundowns goalkeeper.
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says it is imperative that the side seal an eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title, before turning their attention to lifting the Caf Champions League trophy.
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Masandawana will host Richards Bay on Wednesday evening in the first of eight league games they have left, before taking on Pyramids FC of Egypt in the Champions League final.
Sundowns’ healthy lead
Sundowns hold a nine point lead over Orlando Pirates at the top of the Premiership table, though the Buccaneers do have two games in hand.
“We take every game as it comes and right now we are focusing on the Betway Premiership,” said Onyango.
“We must lift that trophy. When it is time for the Champions League (final) we will shift focus. But every game is a final for us and we hope we can win all our remaining games.”
There may be some tired legs in the Sundowns camp after another long season, especially this week, as the side return from a tough battle with Al Ahly in Cairo in the Champions League semifinals.
Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, indeed, has criticised South Africa’s footballing authorities for scheduling this game so soon after the 1-1 draw at the Cairo International Stadium that took Sundowns to the final on the away goals rule.
“It will be a very difficult game (against Richards Bay), especially after playing in the Champions League and coming back (from Cairo).
“They are a hard running team and fighting for their lives, but we have the quality and must stay focused and get the results.”
Relegation battle
Richards Bay are indeed fighting for their lives, Papi Zothwane’s side currently just three points above 15th-placed Cape Town City and 14th-placed SuperSport United.
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The KZN side have, however, won five of their last ten Premiership matches, losing just three and drawing two. Most recently, Thulani Gumede’s late strike was enough to give them a vital 1-0 win over Cape Town City on April 18.
