Onyango urges caution as Sundowns eye CAF Champions League final

Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango has called for focus and composure despite Mamelodi Sundowns securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Espérance Tunis in Sunday’s first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final clash in the Tunisian capital.

Sharp. Solid. Decisive. 👆

A strong performance sees Masandawana claim a crucial away win heading into the second leg 🔥#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/6WJTs4rDdD

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 13, 2026

Sundowns head into the decisive return leg in Pretoria with a slender advantage, but Onyango has warned his teammates against complacency, pointing to Espérance’s recent comeback against African giants Al Ahly as a clear reminder of the threat they pose.

“It’s not over yet. It’s only half-time,” Onyango emphasized after the crucial away win.

The experienced shot-stopper highlighted how Espérance overturned Al Ahly in the previous round, winning 3-2 in Cairo after a 1-0 victory at home to progress 4-2 on aggregate, an example he believes Sundowns must take seriously.

“We are in the lead, but we can’t take them for granted, especially after they won away in Egypt against Al Ahly,” he added.

Onyango acknowledged the quality within the Tunisian side, describing them as resilient and capable of turning ties around, particularly in high-pressure encounters.

“We know they are a fighting team, and they have the quality to score goals,” he noted.

However, the Ugandan international remains confident in his team’s strengths as they prepare to finish the job on home soil.

“We also have quality players, pace, and attacking threat,” Onyango said, backing his side to rise to the occasion in Pretoria.

With a place in the final at stake, the South African champions will now look to capitalize on their home advantage, while remaining wary of an Espérance side that has already proven its ability to upset the odds away from home.