Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says he had to use his “instincts” during their penalty shootout against Cape Town City in the MTN8 final.

The 36-year-old proved to be the hero as he made five penalty saves to help his side secure a 3-2 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

After Peter Shalulile slotted in his penalty, Onyango made the final save to deny Cape Town City captain Thamsanqa Mkhize to win the title for the club for the first time since 2007.

“We kept on believing. The guys didn’t drop their heads and we knew they were dragging this game to penalties. We knew they can’t score. We had it in mind that it’s our game,” Onyango told SuperSport TV after the game.

“They started playing aggressive and keeping the ball and we couldn’t cope with that. With the mentality from the boys, we kept going. We missed a lot of chances to be honest and they got one chance and took it.

“We knew most of them where they kick because some of them had gone off so I had to use my instincts and I had to do what Kennedy [Mweene] did. He started this journey of the penalties. Coach Rulani reminded me that Kennedy did very well in the first game against [Kaizer] Chiefs.

“All the goalkeepers played a huge role in this tournament and I think that’s how we managed to win it.”