Onyango recalled by Uganda as veteran targets home AFCON farewell

Denis Onyango has been included in Uganda’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite not having played club football since February.

Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put has retained the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper as the national team prepares for next year’s finals, which Uganda will co-host alongside Tanzania and Kenya.

The three host nations have already secured their places at the tournament, but will take part in the qualifying campaign to maintain their competitiveness and use the matches as preparation. They will be among the 24 qualifying teams drawn from the 12 groups.

For Onyango, the selection extends an international career that appeared to have ended in April 2021. He had spent more than 15 years representing Uganda before retiring, then returned to the Cranes in September last year after an absence of 54 months.

The 41-year-old’s recall followed a goalkeeping crisis within the national team. Had he not initially retired in 2021, he could by now have passed the 100-cap mark.

His latest call-up also points to a desire to continue with Uganda until the finals next year, when he could end his international career in front of home supporters.

This will be Onyango’s 10th round of AFCON qualifying matches.

The goalkeeper is currently in his 21st consecutive season in the South African top flight. He began his career there with SuperSport United during the 2006/07 season, before playing for Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bidvest Wits, and later joining Sundowns.

Onyango has been back with the Cranes since September last year, having resumed international duty after reversing his retirement decision.

He is the only Ugandan in the squad who plays for a South African club.

Onyango is also the most decorated footballer of the PSL era. His honours include 12 league titles, two CAF Champions League trophies, the CAF Super Cup and the African Football League.

He has also won the Nedbank Cup three times, the Telkom Knockout twice and the MTN8.