Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has detailed the key role played by the club legend Kennedy Mweene.
The former Zambian National Team captain had a successful career at Sundowns after spending eight seasons with the Brazilians.
Mweene joined Masandawana at the start of the 2014/15 season from the now-defunct Free State Stars under the then-head coach Pitso Mosimane.
The 40-year-old went on to win a handful of major trophies with Sundowns and was part of the team that won the CAF Champions League title in 2016.
According to Transfermarkt, Mweene amassed 120 in all competitions for the Tshwane-based outfit. He conceded 89 goals and kept 57 clean sheets. The AFCON-winning goalie took over the goalkeeper coach role at Downs following his retirement in July 2023.
WHAT ONYANGO SAID ABOUT MWEENE’S ROLE AT SUNDOWNS
Onyango has revealed that Mweene is the link between the coaching staff and the players, stating that he helps the coaches convey messages to the players.
“Kennedy is playing the same role that he played when he was still playing. He comes to the changeroom and speaks to the players,” Onyango said.
“He’s the link between the coaching staff and the players. He shares his moments and the experience he has with the team because he played with players like Mahoota [Katlego Mashego] and Hlompho Kekana.
“So he’s playing the coaching and players’ role, involving me, Ronwen Williams, and Themba Zwane. We are easy to speak to, and when he needs to pass something to the players, he doesn’t need to come to the changeroom; he sends us to speak to the boys, and it becomes easy because we’ve known him for a very long time.
“When it’s time to work, he’s a coach, and when it’s time to talk, he talks to us as brothers. So he’s playing his role as coach and former player.”
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