Recent game time has come as motivational factor, says Sundowns goalkeeper Mweene

During Mamelodi Sundowns’ triumphant campaign, coach Pitso Mosimane gave Denis Onyango, the no.1 jersey and the coach hasn’t looked back since.

Onyango’s impressive performances on the domestic and international front saw him claim the 2016 Caf African based Player of the Year award.

However, the 31-year-old keeper scintillating form has led to the likes of Wayne Sandilands and Zambian goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene struggling for game time.

Mweene was one of the continent’s most sought-after goalkeepers before moving to Chloorkop, at the beginning of the 2013/14 campaign. But he has seen his stock decline in recent years due to limited playing time.

Nonetheless, an injury to Onyango in February has seen the veteran back in the Sundowns’ fold and despite his apparent lack of game time, Mweene still remains positive.

"Yes, I've been out of action for a long time and it has come as a motivational factor to me to get some game time recently," Mweene told Vodacom Soccer.

"My focus is not actually on fighting for a starting berth, but making an impact in the team whenever given a chance. 

"We have a healthy competition as the team's goalkeepers, and always support whoever is in the starting line-up," he added.

"It's not actually important who starts in goals in the team's starting line-up, but whoever is given the nod has a duty to make an impact on the day," Mweene concluded.