Familiar Territory: Denis Onyango Prepares for Another AFCON Battle

Author: John Aliu

When Denis Onyango walks into a dressing room, he does not just bring gloves and boots — he brings belief.

A living legend of Mamelodi Sundowns and one of Africa’s most decorated goalkeepers, Onyango has once again answered the call of country, rejoining the Uganda Cranes as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Drawn into Group C alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and Tanzania, Uganda faces a daunting challenge. But for Onyango — a man shaped by high-pressure nights at Loftus Versfeld, Lucas Moripe Stadium, continental finals and AFCON battles — this is familiar territory.

Ahead of the tournament, Onyango shared his thoughts exclusively with Aubrey Modiba on behalf of the Mamelodi Sundowns Digital Magazine crew, with the experience and quiet confidence of a leader who has truly seen it all.

Aubrey Modiba (AM): How special is it for you to return to the national team after retirement?

Denis Onyango (DO): It is always good to play for the National Team. Being selected among the best in a country with so much talent means you are special, especially after I had retired. I also have to give credit to the players who helped the team qualify, such as Ismail Watenga, who did a great job but unfortunately got injured and missed out. This qualification was largely due to his efforts and we will try to represent him well. We wish him a speedy recovery.

AM: Indeed, a speedy recovery to him. Group C includes powerhouses like Tunisia and Nigeria, plus the East African derby against Tanzania. How do you assess Uganda’s chances in such a competitive group?

DO: Yes, the group is a very tough one and has African football heavyweights. But in a tournament, everyone is a powerhouse — it is just about how we prepare as a team and brace ourselves for the challenge. Of course, having our East African brothers, Tanzania, in the group makes it even tougher because it is a derby. But we must believe and give it our best.

AM: As someone who has seen many AFCON cycles, do you think this is one of the toughest groups Uganda has faced?

DO: To be honest, we also had a tough group in the 2019 edition, where we faced DR Congo, Zimbabwe and Egypt, who were the host nation. But we still made it to the next round. All AFCON editions are normally tough — what matters is how you approach the first game, because that is key in a tournament. We hope to cause an upset against Tunisia, who are going to the World Cup. It is a huge task, but in tournaments, it is about who takes their chances and grabs the three points.

AM: Tunisia and Nigeria have world-class attackers. What is your mindset going into matches against that level of firepower?

DO: Facing great players and strikers in the opposition means we have to be very alert and cut off their supply. Most importantly, we must try to keep clean sheets because such teams only need one chance to score. You do not want to be chasing the game against great teams in a tournament. We have to be strong as a team, stay competitive and remain compact.

AM: You have been a leader for both Mamelodi Sundowns in our dressing room and Uganda. How will your experience shape the Cranes’ preparations and mentality at AFCON?

DO: The experience I have gained at Sundowns is what I am expected to share with the National Team — leadership and the right mentality. As the most experienced and oldest player, my role is to support the coach and captain (Khalid Aucho) and help the boys believe it is possible, no matter who we face. Working with youngsters can be challenging, but I try to listen, guide them and remind them that opportunities like this do not come twice. It is about being a father figure, understanding their goals and supporting them positively.

AM: As one of Africa’s most decorated goalkeepers, what personal goals are you setting for this AFCON?

DO: My personal goal is to try my best to finish on a high note. I do not see myself playing in the next AFCON, which will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. So this is a huge task for me, and I will also rely on my teammates to achieve it.

AM: What festive message would you like to send to Ugandans and Sundowns fans wishing you well?

DO: To the Uganda Cranes fans, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Most importantly, keep supporting the boys as you always have — your belief keeps us going, especially in a tough group. To the Masandawana family, thank you for standing by us during a challenging season. Football is a marathon and together we can retain the league, continue our CAF Champions League journey and look ahead to the Nedbank Cup. Please stay safe on the roads, take care of yourselves, and we look forward to seeing you in January. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Masandawana.

For Denis Onyango, the AFCON in Morocco is about more than matches and moments — it is about leadership, belief and finishing the journey with purpose. Once again, he is ready to lead from the back.

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