Onyango: “I want to retire at Sundowns”

Many football fans in South Africa, Africa and even the world at large wonder why Ugandan shotstopper Denis Onyango has not left the shores of Africa despite being touted as one of the finest the goalkeepers produced in the continent.

Onyango has stated emphatically that he’s loyal and focused on finishing his playing career at South Africa’s heavyweight Mamelodi Sundowns, though he has received on many occasions very good offers from the Middle East.

Onyango told IOL: “There has been an opportunity for me to go and play in Arab countries but I just declined the offer because I’m okay and happy at Sundowns.”

He added: “Here they’ve cared about me even when I wasn’t playing, they’ve helped and believed in me, I really can’t just abandon them because I’m going to get $2000 in Asia.”

Dennis Onyango has had a good spell at Mamelodi Sundowns where he joined in 2011 from Mpumalanga Black Aces.

Onyango, 34, has won the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title on four occasions, he has two Telcom Knockout Cups to his name, a Nedbank Cup and mostly recently, he and Mamelodi Sundowns conquered Africa to win the the CAF Champions League trophy.

“Am around people who believe in me, why can’t I just stay here and finish my career, other than flying out to start a new life altogether.” Onyango noted.

Onyango, who won the 2016 African Player Based in Africa has thanked Mamelodi Sundowns for the support the club has had on him during his difficult moments.

“When I lost my dad, the club has been with me, when I had issues with my wife and son, the club has been with me, the club has always showed me love and support during all these difficult moments in my career, why should I abandon and leave them now?”

“Relocating my wife and kids is going to be difficult, having been in South Africa for the past 14 years. It will be difficult to start afresh especially when I’m not going to stay long.”

“I don’t think anyone will give me a five-year contract – it might be two years. Why should I relocate because I want more money? I need my family to be comfortable as well,” Onyango highlighted.

The Uganda captain in February 2019 renewed his contract with reigning Champions in South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns, where he put to paper a new four-year and a half contract extension.

Fingers crossed as to what the Cloorkop goalkeeper and inspirational leader will do in 2023 when he turn 37. Will he hand his gloves or prefer to follow in the footsteps of Legendary goalkeepers like Buffon, El-Hadary and others?

Source: africanfootballhq