Former Uganda Cranes custodian and Mamelodi Sundowns’ skipper Dennis Onyango needed to be at his absolute best to clinch his first title for the club since taking the armband from Hlompho Kekana.
Onyango was the hero as he saved five penalties in a dramatic shootout to guide the ‘Brazilians’ to their first MTN 8 Cup on Saturday against Cape Town FC in four years.
The game which ended 1-1 after extra time was a close one and there is no doubt that more goals would have been scored had both goalkeepers not been in good form.
Thapelo Morena gave Masandawana the lead in the 23rd minute after Thabiso Kutumela won the ball from Tariq Fielies before laying it off to Morena who slotted home coolly from close range.
City showed their fighting spirit to come back in the 73rd minute through Fagrie Lakay who did press and probe the Downs defence. F.Lakay finished from close range after being teed up by Surprise Ralani.
With the score still tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, it was pushed to an extra 30 but there was no difference, forcing shootouts.
In a rare event, the first four penalties of the shoot-out were missed as Onyango shut out the opening two spot-kicks, but his team missed theirs too. Andile Jali became the first to score before Terrence Mashego responded by also netting City’s third.
Onyango saved the fourth before he dealt with another in the forced sudden death( after five from both).
Later, Peter Shalulile scored Sundowns’ seventh before the goalkeeper saved Thamsanqa Mkhize’s kick to hand the title to Masandawana(3-2).
As the outright man of the match, the celebrated goalkeeper walked away with the game MVP Prize Money of 8000 Rand.
Onyango took on captaincy duties at the start of the 2021/22 season and has been in fascinating form, keeping six shutouts in as many appearances in the DSTV Premier League.
He continues to cement his place as one of the most decorated players in African football history. The MTN 8 was not only his first with the Masandawana but also his 13th trophy in South African competitions.
