Every game is a final for us, says Mamelodi Sundowns keeper Dennis Onyango

Having secured their place in the CAF Champions League final, Mamelodi Sundowns now shift their focus back to the Betway Premiership, where another step toward the title awaits. Richards Bay FC stand as the next obstacle at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

In their last outing, the Brazilians suffered a 2-1 loss against rivals Orlando Pirates, who are still in hot pursuit of the defending league champions' crown. Heading into the contest, Sundowns still maintain a nine-point gap over the second-placed Buccaneers, who have two games in hand and will also be in action against Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Stadium on the same night.

Sundowns have lost the fewest matches of all teams this season, and goals from Arthur Sales and Lucas Ribeiro Costa handed them a 2-0 win against Richards Bay the last time they met at the King Zwelithini Stadium in December.

Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who featured in that December win, believes that despite the team’s impressive progress this season, nothing is decided yet and there’s still plenty of work to be done.

“It will not be an easy task for the boys, but we take every game as it comes,” Onyango commented ahead of the match. “It’s every game at a time, and right now we are focused on the Betway Premiership because we must lift the trophy.”

Onyango added that their trip to Egypt to face Al Ahly has taken its toll on the team, but with their experience, they are more than capable of switching focus to what lies ahead on Wednesday night. The Ugandan international emphasized that with just a few games left in the season, every match will feel like a final.

“Very difficult game, especially because we were just playing in the Champions League and coming back from a very tough match, but we have to switch our focus to the Richards Bay game,” Onyango said.

“When it’s time for the Champions League, we’ll focus on that tournament, but for now, every game is a final for us, and we hope to win all our remaining games.”

The Natal Rich Boys, on the other hand, have lost three of their last five matches. However, after securing a vital 1-0 win against another relegation-threatened side, Cape Town City, in their last outing, the KZN outfit will carry some confidence as they prepare to face one of their toughest opponents this season.

The two sides sit at opposite ends of the table, and Onyango believes that with Richards Bay fighting to secure their place in the top flight, they will not be an easy side to overcome.

“They are a very hard-running team, and they are fighting for their lives, and we know that,” Onyango continued.

“We have the quality, and we must stay focused as a team and try to get results at home in our remaining games.”