Former Uganda Cranes captain and legendary goalkeeper Denis Onyango has made a sensational return to the national team, four years after announcing his retirement.
Onyango has been included in head coach Paul Put’s 28-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Somalia.
Uganda will open their campaign at home against Mozambique on 5 September 2025 at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, with kick-off set for 7:00 p.m. Earlier that day, Somalia will take on Guinea at the same venue at 3:00 p.m.
Three days later, the Cranes will be back at Mandela National Stadium to face Somalia on 8 September, also under the floodlights at 7:00 p.m.
Uganda currently sits fourth in Group G with 9 points, level with Botswana but behind leaders Algeria (15 points), Mozambique (12), and Botswana (9). Guinea and Somalia trail the Cranes.
Onyango is not the only experienced goalkeeper recalled. Salim Jamal, who plays for Richards Bay in South Africa, has also been handed a return to the squad.
The call-ups come in the wake of a major setback in June when Ismael Watenga—who had established himself as Uganda’s first-choice goalkeeper—suffered a serious knee injury expected to sideline him for over a year.
Onyango, 40, retired from international football in 2021 to focus on his club career with South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns. His 16-year service to the Cranes began on 18 June 2005 in a World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde.
He went on to cement his place as Uganda’s undisputed No.1, famously guiding the team to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after 39 years of absence, conceding just two goals in six qualifying matches. He also captained the side at both the 2017 and 2019 AFCON finals, earning a place among the most celebrated players in the nation’s football history.
Onyango’s return is expected to inject much-needed leadership and experience as Uganda seeks to keep its World Cup qualification hopes alive.
