“We Believe That This is the Chance That We Have to Lift the MTN8 Trophy” – Denis Onyango

Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to add another trophy to the cabinet when they meet Cape Town City on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium for the MTN8 Wafa-Wafa Cup final competition.

The Brazilians are undeniably in great form in their 2021/22 Premier Soccer League campaign, overcoming all their opponents in style to make their long-awaited return to the final. It is by no surprise that Downs sensational shot-stopper Denis Onyango, described the weekend’s encounter as a paramount occasion for the club and himself.

“Looking at the MTN8 Final and the trophy itself, it’s the one trophy that we haven’t won as a club and for me personally, I am looking forward to this final. I’ve been to the final before and we lost, but I believe that the way that we have prepared and the momentum that the team has at the moment gives us the upper hand, but of course we have to work extremely hard and try to win against a very hard working, tactical and talented team that is Cape Town City. Looking at the way that the guys are really hungry for this trophy, we should be able to win it but we are required to stay focus and give it our best shot, we believe that this is the chance that we have to lift the MTN8 trophy with the hard work that we have to put on and with the support that we are getting from the technical team and the supporters.”

The Ugandan international goalkeeper has spent a decade with Masandawana and has been with the club through the highest moments and celebrations in collecting accolades. Onyango shared his last MTN8 Cup final memories and revealed that fortune will be on their side as they head into the clash.

“I’ve been in the MTN8 Final, the previous one was against Bidvest Wits and it didn’t go well, we lost that game. We put in a lot of effort but we didn’t win the trophy, but this time around I think we also have a very good record at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Most of the cup finals that we have played at that stadium we’ve managed to win and I strongly believe that luck will be on our side to win this final at Moses Mabhida. At the end of the day only one has to come out as winners, we believe and hope that we are coming out as winners against Cape Town City. By working hard and focusing on the game it will be easier for us to win this trophy, not just because we are playing at Moses Mabhida and we have a good history, but also knowing that we have to give it our best shot.”

Saturday’s opponent’s currently sit in 11th position in the DStv Premiership, however, The Citizens have experience in this particular competition and the Bafana Ba Style goalkeeper says the team do not subscribe to the “underdog” tag that has been given to City by many football supporters: “Everyone believes that Cape Town City are probably the underdogs because we are bigger, but on the field it is 11 vs 11, the team that works hard and takes their chances is the team that wins. For us we take every game as a Cup final, we do not choose teams in terms of who is bigger or is smaller, good or bad, we give it our best shot and that is the mentality of the players, the technical team and the club. We just approach every game in a positive way, we must also approach the game knowing that the opposition is not weak as we look at every opposition as a strong side and we do not undermine anyone.” 

Onyango concluded by saying, “I think the mentality will be right from us and the team to know that we are playing a very good quality team, we should give our best because for them to get to the final it was never a fluke, they managed to come to Joburg and win against Swallows FC with a big score, we can not undermine them.”

Mamelodi Sundowns will be in action against Cape Town City in the MTN8 Cup final on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, kick off is at 18h00 and the game will be broadcast live on SuperSport Channel 202.