Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has revealed the extra motivation he gets from playing in the Caf Champions League.

The former SuperSport United stopper may have harboured initial goals of just participating in Africa’s premium tournament but a decade on from his Champions League debut and after winning the tournament with Sundowns in 2016, his target these days are very different.

‘As an individual, playing in the Champions League has helped me grow because it was my dream to play in this competition,’ said the Uganda international.

‘My initial dream was to be in the group stage of the Champions League. But I have done more than that and I want to do even more now. That has kept me going all the time. There are lot of challenges and pressure that I face which means I need to perform every time I step onto the field. I know that anyone can do my job, but if I do it with distinction I can stand out.’

The 2016 Caf African Player of the Year – Based in Africa, revealed that playing in the Champions League requires an extra element which motivates him.

‘When you play on the continent, you need to show your experience because the pitch might not be proper, and the opponents might use mind games to rile you up. There are a lot of challenges, beyond just playing football. But you shouldn’t focus on that, you should just get the result and go back home.

‘That needs a lot of experience and mental strength. That affects certain players, but it doesn’t affect me. I have played in many hostile environments on the continent and managed to come out of stronger. I do everything in my power to help the club. I know that as a foreign player I need to help the club when it comes to continental football,’ concluded the captain of Uganda Cranes.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix