Onyango: Sundowns will take any advantage we can get

Brian Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns warming up during the 2023 Carling Knockout Cup last 16 match between TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on 18 October 2023 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Thursday Mar 28, 2024. 13:38

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Brian Onyango feels any advantage they can get away to Young Africans in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals will be a boon.

The Brazilians are in Dar es Salaam to prepare for their clash with Yanga in a packed Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday before heading back home for the return leg at Loftus Versfeld on April 5.

Rulani Mokwena’s side have gained plenty of experience in dealing with hostile playing conditions after beating CR Belouizdad 4-1 in Algiers and drawing 0-0 with Wydad in Casablanca last season during the knockout stages.

The Tanzanian giants have proved a tough nut to crack at home as they went unbeaten in the group stages, winning against Medeama and CR Belouizdad, while drawing with Al Ahly and conceding just one goal in the process.

Onyango expects a formidable challenge from the hosts this weekend and is looking for the slightest edge to take back to Pretoria.

“Champions League is very tough. So any minimal advantage you get while you start away, you grab it with both hands because it helps in the second leg,” Onyango told the Sowetan.

“They are a good team with top players and their passionate supporters behind them, so we expect a difficult encounter.”