Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says the club has moved on from the travel complications that disrupted preparations for their Caf Champions League meeting with ASFAR and is now fully focused on securing victory in the second leg.
The South African side travelled to Morocco under difficult circumstances after plans to depart on Tuesday were unexpectedly delayed.
Sundowns had intended to fly out from OR Tambo International Airport earlier in the week, but their chartered aircraft was unable to leave because of issues linked to a landing permit in Morocco.
The delay forced the club to alter its arrangements before eventually receiving permission to travel a day later. Reports suggested the Department of International Relations assisted in resolving the matter, while the team also had to make a stopover in Gabon during the journey north.
Despite the disruption, Sundowns head into the decisive encounter holding a slender advantage after winning the first leg 1-0 in Pretoria last Sunday.
Veteran goalkeeper Onyango admitted the trip had not been straightforward but insisted the squad had reacted positively and was determined not to allow the situation to affect preparations for the match.
“Yeah, it’s quite a challenging journey to come to Morocco,” said Onyango.
The experienced shot-stopper explained that the squad accepted the circumstances and remained calm despite the uncertainty surrounding their departure.
“Of course, we had a little bit of a hiccup on the first day that we had. We wanted to travel, but eventually we travelled.
“And the team was very positive because this is football, it happens and it was not in our hands to grant us how we travel.”
Sundowns are aiming to protect their narrow first-leg lead as they pursue a place in the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition.
The 2016 African champions are seeking another successful continental campaign and know they face a difficult challenge away from home against Moroccan opposition.
Onyango, however, said the players have now turned their attention entirely to the task on the pitch and are no longer dwelling on the travel problems that threatened to disrupt the build-up.
“But eventually everyone was looking forward and we’re here. We’re just focusing on the game regardless of whatever happened before.”
The goalkeeper also stressed the importance of delivering a performance that would satisfy both the club’s supporters and football fans in South Africa.
“We just need to give our best and make the supporters and South Africans happy.”
Sundowns have built a reputation as one of Africa’s strongest club sides in recent years and their experience in continental competition could prove crucial in the second leg.
While the journey to Morocco may not have gone according to plan, Onyango’s comments suggest the squad believes the difficulties are now firmly behind them as they prepare for another important night in the Caf Champions League.
