Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango injured on Uganda return

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango’s return to international football has been disrupted by injury after he was substituted during Uganda’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying draw with Botswana.

The 41-year-old, who is also Uganda’s captain and a club legend at Sundowns, was withdrawn after 42 minutes in the Group H match. He was replaced by 22-year-old Kingdom Osayi, who is currently with Swedish third-tier club Assyriska FF.

Onyango had been persuaded to end a four-year international retirement to help the 2027 AFCON co-hosts. Since returning, he has started eight of Uganda’s past 14 matches and kept two clean sheets.

The extent of his latest injury has not been confirmed.

Uganda remain top of Group H after the 1-1 draw with Botswana, known as the Zebras. The Cranes have collected five points from their opening three matches.

Onyango’s international comeback was intended to provide experience as Uganda develop a younger squad. Head coach Paul Put said when recalling the goalkeeper that senior players would be important in helping the next generation progress.

Onyango shared that view when he accepted the call-up last year.

“Of course every team needs senior players and young blood because the young blood gives more energy and the senior players help the players to calm down when there is pressure to help them to manage the game,” he said.

“The game requires a lot of experience but it also requires a lot of running which is done by the young ones and that is what we share.”

He has not played for Sundowns this season, although he has been named among the substitutes on four occasions. That situation followed comments from head coach Miguel Cardoso, who confirmed that Onyango and captain Themba Zwane understood their roles within the squad.

The veteran goalkeeper is expected to end his playing career after the current season, with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in his home country potentially serving as his fifth and final tournament.

For now, Uganda’s focus remains on qualifying from Group H, but Onyango’s injury could affect the experience available to the team as its campaign continues.