Onyango’s head is on the block – Booth

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits defender Matthew Booth believes Pitso Mosimane may have to consider changing his goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

The Bafana Bafana defender said this as Masandawana prepare to face the Clever Boys in an Absa Premiership showdown at Bidvest Stadium tomorrow.

Onyango made a poor error in Sundowns’ 1-1 draw with Polokwane City on Tuesday evening, netting an own goal after failing to deal with a header from Salulani Phiri. The result meant that Sundowns remain two points behind Wits, though they also have two games in hand as they travel to Johannesburg.

The Ugandan goalkeeper won the Caf African Goalkeeper-of-the-Year this year, but has made some errors in the Brazilians’ goal in 2019 and admitted after the City game that a knee injury had affected him.

“It hasn’t been just one error, it has been a string of errors,” noted Booth.

“In his defence, being a goalkeeper is a thankless task and he was undoubtedly Sundowns’ best until he got that award as Africa’s No 1. Since then he has hit a bit of bad form, I am confident he will get out of it. Having said that, when there is so much class and competition in that position, I think there comes a stage where Pitso Mosimane might have to look at a change … you can’t keep giving someone chance after chance when you have Kennedy Mweene waiting in the wings.”

Booth added that Sundowns were probably not happy to have let slip the chance to make further ground on Wits.

“I think we are poised for a great game (between Wits and Sundowns),” said Booth. “I think Sundowns will probably be disappointed they haven’t taken advantage (against City), at one stage they had three games in hand, and they are still a bit behind.

“Against Black Leopards (in the Nedbank Cup last 16) at their first attempt Wits were very poor, and they were vastly improved on Monday so that will be a good sign for Gavin Hunt and his team. I have always been very impressed with Cole Alexander and Thabang Monare in midfield … both teams have fantastic midfield combinations if you think of Hlompho Kekana and Tiyani Mabunda for Sundowns.”

Booth ultimately believes that Downs might just have an edge.

“If you look at games played and points, psychologically the team on the front foot will be Sundowns, it is almost like a cup clash and you can’t really predict how it will go but psychologically I would probably give it to Sundowns.”

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