By Mark Namanya
In any conversation about Uganda’s greatest ever football, Denis Onyango’s name would feature prominently.
The former SC Villa, St George, SuperSport United and Mpumalanga Black Aces shot stopper, now a Bonafide legend of Mamelodi Sundowns, looks destined to keep goal for Cranes next year at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in what would be a magnificent finish to an illustrious career.
The 2016 African Player of the Year, set to turn 42 before the tournament but still as agile as ever, is relishing the historic tournament.
“It is going to be a great achievement,” Onyango remarked. “It is an opportunity for our people to witness the best players on the African continent. But as sportsmen, it is a very good thing to have the kind of facilities that are being built by the government.”
“It is going to be the biggest opportunity and best thing ever to happen to Uganda because of what it will bring to the country in more ways than one,” he added.
“PAMOJA will show why football is the biggest sport in the world because it will accommodate and unite everyone including our brothers and sisters in Kenya and Tanzania.”
Onyango, however, was quick to add that there were no guarantees that he will be in goal come AFCON time.
“This is sport and many things can happen between now and June next year so there is nothing given about me being in Cranes goal, but if the opportunity presents itself and the coach picks me to captain the team, it will be one of the biggest moments of my career – to captain my team in an AFCON at home.”
Should Onyango be selected, it would be his fourth AFCON appearance, having been selected for Gabon 2017, Egypt 2019 and Morocco 2025. No Ugandan has ever played at four AFCON tournaments, but Khalid Aucho would emulate Onyango if selected by Paul Put, the national team manager.
The veteran meanwhile weighed in on how he has had to do a mental transition to new and young Cranes teammates, having played alongside names like Ibrahim Sekagya and Hassan Mubiru who are now long retired.
“First of all, it was difficult for me when I was recalled because there were a lot of new faces,” he admitted. “But the game doesn’t change much; football tactics remain the same. It helped that I also found names like Aucho and Salim Jamal who made it easier for me to fit in.”
Onyango went on to cite his experience as a father and how it has enabled him to get used to the young team.
“Some of the players, like James Bogere, are the ages of my kids so it has been easy for me to speak to them and give them the necessary advice of the demands of excelling at the highest level. It also helps that they respect me, that I will admit.”
The goalkeeper is convinced that Uganda has what it takes to get to the last eight, and beyond.
“When you get to the knockout stages, anything is possible. And I believe that with the squad that the coach is assembling, we will have a chance.”
