Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango admitted the difficulty of facing a side like Maritzburg United while acknowledging his part in the Brazilians' 2-1 victory in the Absa Premiership.
The Brazilians returned to the top of the league table fresh from sealing passage to the CAF Champions League quarterfinals on Saturday.
“I had to put up a very strong performance because we knew it is a very difficult team to play (against). Every time we come here they gave us a very tough time,” Onyango told SuperSport TV.
“Look, I had to continue from where I left off over the weekend to get the team to a breather in three points away from Pirates and other teams. But it was a great performance from the team.”
Despite the numerous goal-ridden saves throughout, Onyango succumbed to a late strike from Fortune Makaringe but he believes he was fouled in the build-up.
“In my opinion, when I go up I make sure I’m going to catch the ball but when I’m fouled and the ref says I need to hold onto the ball I can’t do anything more,” added the Ugandan.
“Because I’m also human because when I go up I also lose balance and they made contact with me and I eventually lost the ball. So I’m not sure if it was the right decision, but in my case I think it was a foul.”
According to Onyango, the referee Victor Gomes said he should’ve held onto the ball given his physical frame.
“He said I must hold on to the ball rather than complain for a foul because I went up and he believes that I’m a big man, and when I go up I must hold on to the ball, but when I lose balance in the air after the contact I can’t hold onto the ball. But it’s one of those where these things happen,” Onyango concluded.
