Veteran Ugandan goalkeeper Denis Onyango believes African clubs and supporters are finally embracing continental football with the seriousness and passion it deserves, as excitement around the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League continues to grow across the continent.
The experienced Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper shared his thoughts during an interview with CAFOnline at the club’s training base in Johannesburg ahead of Sundowns’ eagerly anticipated first-leg showdown against Moroccan giants AS FAR on Sunday, May 17 at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.
With expectations of a capacity crowd for the clash, Onyango says the atmosphere now surrounding CAF interclub football is proof that supporters are increasingly recognising the prestige attached to Africa’s elite club competition.
The former African champion, who played a pivotal role in Sundowns’ historic 2016 CAF Champions League triumph, credited supporters for helping elevate the tournament’s image in recent years:
“I really need to give credit to the supporters who have recently shown love for African football. When you go to the North, fans there show passion for the Champions League and value it because they know how much it changes players’ lives and image of the club.
Very few clubs have a star above the logo but that will soon change in the coming years as clubs and their fans are showing an increased love and passion for African club football,” said Onyango.
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According to the 40-year-old, many African clubs are only now beginning to fully appreciate the enormous value and global recognition that comes with conquering the continent.
“For me I think we took a bit long to understand the value of the Champions League. Winning it gives mileage to the club,” he added.
Onyango also stressed that success in African club football goes far beyond talent on the pitch, insisting that ambition, planning and financial backing remain essential ingredients for clubs hoping to compete consistently at the highest level.
“The mentality and ambition of the club is important because it requires a lot of sacrifice and deep pockets but clubs across Africa have realised this, and it is now even showing with the fans packing stadiums during Champions League matches,” he said.
The decorated goalkeeper further challenged club administrators and owners across the continent to continue investing heavily in their teams if African football is to reach even greater heights.
“I’m happy that our clubs have understood the value of the Champions League now as we see fans coming out in numbers across Africa. For us to come to the party and dominate as well, we need to play our part and have the club Presidents and Chairmen investing more in their teams’ preparations for the CAF Champions League,” he concluded.
Sundowns will now look to harness the backing of another packed Loftus Stadium crowd as they chase a second CAF Champions League title, nearly ten years after Onyango inspired the Tshwane-based outfit to continental glory.
