Former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango has decided to sign a contract extension at South Africa’s side Mamelodi Sundowns.
The decision comes after the goalkeeper had allegedly planned to retire from active football. However, the 39-year-old shotstopper reportedly reversed his decision to hang up his gloves after the club convinced him that his experience was still required, and they also planned to add him to their coaching staff.
Despite being aware that he is now the second-choice goalkeeper, behind South Africa’s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, Onyango is pleased to stay.
“Yes, the club and I have agreed that it’s in the best interest to renew my contract. I will stay for one more year and see what happens after that. Sundowns is family, I am happy, so it wasn’t a hard decision to make when they asked me to stay,” Onyango said.
Onyango’s spell at Mamelodi Sundowns since 2011 has been a tale of triumphs, as he has become the most decorated player in South African league history. He has won 11 Premier Soccer League titles, eight of which came as a Mamelodi Sundowns player.
His other triumphs include three Nedbank Cups, two Telkom Knockouts, one CAF Champions League, one CAF Super Cup, one Africa Football League title, and one MTN8.
He is also a previous winner of the African Player of the Year based in Africa for 2016, which he collected after his pivotal role in Sundowns’ historical CAF Champions League glory and The Cranes’ qualification to the AFCON finals after 38 years. He was also named in the CAF Team of the Year in 2016 and 2018.
Onyango retired from international football in 2021, after earning 82 competitive caps and captaining the team to the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He is regarded as one of the biggest sports personalities in Uganda.
