Mamelodi Sundowns Face Goalkeeping Concern Ahead of CAF Champions League Opener
Mamelodi Sundowns have an injury worry in goal ahead of their first CAF Champions League group stage match this weekend. The Tshwane giants host DR Congo side St Eloi Lupopo on Saturday in their opening Group C fixture.
Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who was recently on international duty with Uganda, is under assessment after picking up an injury. Onyango featured for the Cranes in a friendly against Morocco on Tuesday but went down in the 65th minute and had to be substituted.
The 40-year-old returned to international football this year after retiring in 2021. He has served as Sundowns’ second-choice goalkeeper and has delivered reliably when called upon. Onyango has made only one appearance this season, in the Champions League preliminary tie against Nigerian side Remo Stars.
Sundowns have some relief as Jody February recently returned to training following an earlier injury that saw him miss the team’s trip to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Should Onyango be unavailable, coach Miguel Cardoso can rely on February and Reyaad Pieterse as backups to first-choice Ronwen Williams.
February, whose contract runs until June 2026, is focused on increasing his involvement and earning more matchday opportunities.
Onyango is expected back at Chloorkop by Thursday, with a final fitness decision to be made ahead of the weekend clash. Sundowns will monitor the situation closely to ensure they field a ready and competitive squad for their CAF Champions League opener.
