Veteran Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango is a living legend within the team according to coach Manqoba Mngqithi following his heroic saves against Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal.
The 39-year-old is one of Sundowns’ longest-serving players, and despite having been sidelined by an injury and having dropped down the pecking order at Chloorkop, the Kampala-born shot-stopper kept the Hilal attack at bay, which included denying Aleksandar Mitrovic from the penalty spot, as the Brazilians held on for a famous 2-1 victory.
Mngqithi was pleased to see Onyango back in the fold and praised the shift he put in during the game.
“Which was also very nice to see Denis back,” Mngqithi said.
“He had an injury in his hand, so we were not too sure if we would be able to make today. And when he came in, he showed his class, he showed his level.
“His save from the header of [Aleksandar] Mitrovic and also his save from a penalty. We are very proud to have such a legend within our team.
“It shows the quality that we have in the absence of Ronwen [Williams], we still have a very strong goalkeeping department that has shown a very good work today.”
The defending league champions commence the 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign with a Tshwane Derby league encounter against SuperSport United on September 14.
