Onyango Fires Warning To African Clubs

Dennis Onyango believes African clubs can no longer afford to treat the CAF Champions League as an afterthought, with the veteran goalkeeper insisting serious investment is now essential for teams hoping to dominate the continent.

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With Mamelodi Sundowns preparing for another huge continental occasion at Loftus Stadium, Onyango says African football is entering a new era where clubs are finally recognising what it takes to compete consistently at the highest level.

Speaking ahead of Sundowns’ CAF Champions League final clash against AS FAR, Onyango praised the growing passion around the competition but stressed that clubs must now match that enthusiasm with proper financial and structural commitment.

“For me I think we took a bit long to understand the value of the Champions League. Winning it gives mileage to the club,” Onyango told CAF Online.

The experienced Ugandan shot-stopper, who helped Sundowns conquer Africa in 2016, said supporters across the continent are finally beginning to appreciate the magnitude of the competition.

“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,” he said.

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Onyango believes that growing support is now forcing clubs to raise their standards and ambitions.

“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 added.

The 40-year-old also pointed to the prestige attached to winning Africa’s biggest club competition, saying the iconic star earned above a club badge carries enormous meaning.

“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,” Onyango explained.

“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.