Onyango: The Nedbank Cup game will be good preparation for the Champions League”

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Mamelodi Sundowns veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango says Masandawana are looking forward to their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash against Sekhukhune United as they approach the final stretch of the season. Sundowns will host Babina Noko at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Friday night, in a rearranged Nedbank Cup fixture. The two sides were due to meet on the weekend of 8-9 March but the game got postponed due to a double booking of the Lucas Moripe stadium.

The Nedbank Cup is one of three trophies Sundowns are still chasing this season. They currently hold a 15-point lead at the summit of the Betway Premiership standings, with seven league matches to go. After their clash with Sekhukhune, they will host Tunisian giants Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, as they look to secure their first champions league title since 2016. 

“Going into the Nedbank Cup they are going on well (preparations), of course we would have loved to play a couple of weeks back, the game was postponed and we were in camp but we are looking forward to the game once again,” said Onyango. 

“Even though some guys were at the national team, they will come in and join us for just a few days, but we have no choice we have to play. We have a lot of games we have to play in terms of the league, the champions league and of course the Nedbank Cup. The guys are looking forward, everyone who is given the opportunity has to give his best because we are all here to play and for me I think the game on Friday will give us one more game until we play the champions league against Esperance on Tuesday.”