Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango admits that he had to put up a very strong performance against a difficult team such as Maritzburg United.
The Brazilians reclaimed top spot in the Absa Premiership standings after securing a 2-1 victory over Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Sundowns scored two first-half goals through Emiliano Tade and Lebohang Mabo, while the Team of Choice pulled a goal back in the second half through Fortune Makaringe.
However, Sundowns were forced to finish the last 30 minutes with a man down when Gaston Sirino was given his marching orders after conceding two yellow cards in quick succession.
‘I had to put up a very strong performance because we knew it is a very difficult team to play [against]. Every time we come here, they give us a very tough time,’ Onyango told SuperSport TV after the game.
‘Look, I had to continue from where I left off over the weekend to give the team a breather by three points away from Pirates and other teams. But it was a great performance from the team.’
The Ugandan shot-stopper insists that Fortune Makaringe’s goal should not have been awarded by referee Victor Gomes, as he believes he was fouled in the box leading up to the goal.
‘In my opinion, when I go up I make sure I’m going to catch the ball, but when I’m fouled and the ref says I need to hold on to the ball I can’t do anything more,’ he added.
‘Because I’m also human because when I go up I also lose balance and they made contact with me and I eventually lost the ball. So I’m not sure if it was the right decision, but in my case I think it was a foul.’
‘He said I must hold on to the ball rather than complain for a foul because I went up, and he believes that I’m a big man, and when I go up I must hold on to the ball, but when I lose balance in the air after the contact I can’t hold on to the ball. But it’s one of those where these things happen,’ Onyango concluded.
Mamelodi Sundowns will now turn their attention to the Caf Champions League when they take on Wydad Athletic Club at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in their final group stage game on Saturday, with kick-off set for 7pm.
