Goalkeeper Denis Onyango’s decision to come out of retirement received a measure of validation on Saturday night at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Onyango, now 40, played a key role as Uganda Cranes drew 1-all with Tanzania in a fairly entertaining East African derby at the Al Median Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
He retired in 2021 to crown a splendid career. The U-turn came in August as Uganda prepared for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique and Somalia.
‘Age becomes less important when you focus on quality, experience and what you bring to the team,’ Onyango said this month.
‘For me, being here allows me to share my experience with the younger players, especially the goalkeepers, and help raise the overall level of the team. That makes this moment even more meaningful.’
In the immediate aftermath, he was on the bench for both games as Onyago’s protégé Salim Jamal Magoola was picked to start.
Coach Paul Put picked Onyango for the next two games – a win away in Botswana and loss in Algeria – as Uganda’s qualification campaign fizzled out.
For November’s international friendlies, Vipers’ Denis Kiggundu was picked for the 2-1 win over Chad before Onyango started the 4-1 mauling at the hands of Morocco.
Real meal
Once the real meal – the Afcon – arrived – there was a bit of attention on who Put would pick to start the group C opener against Tunisia last Tuesday.
Jamal got the nod. His performance in the 3-1 loss to the North Africans left more questions than answers.
Desperate to exit the tournament after two matchdays, Uganda had to pick a positive result against Tanzania.
Put picked his biggest gun – the 2016 Caf African player of the year Onyango – making his third Afcon tournament.
Only seven players have played in as many tournaments. He was beaten from the spot by Simon Msuva after midfielder Baba AlHassan handled in the area on 59 minutes.
There was no other blemish on his beautiful 84-games CV that now grew to seven matches at Africa’s biggest showpiece.
In a commanding show that kept the defence organized and alert, Onyango also made a brave save in a one-on-one situation with Msuva late in the game.
Behind the scenes
‘I also see myself as a bridge between the technical bench and the players, and as support for captain Khalid Aucho, allowing him to focus more on his performances on the pitch,’ Onyango said of his role on the team.
‘For the goalkeepers, my role is simple: push everyone to be ready when their moment comes.’
The result was not ideal as Allan Okello missed a penalty to keep Uganda in the woods as the dream of making the knockout stage remained very distant.
A win against Nigeria tomorrow in Fes is a necessity. When will that next moment come for either Jamal or Nafian Alionzi to send Onyango back to the bench?
moment come for either Jamal or Nafian Alionzi to send Onyango back to the bench?
ONYANGO AT AFCON
Games played
2025 Morocco
Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
2019 Egypt
Uganda 2-0 DR Congo
Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
Uganda 0-2 Egypt
Uganda 0-1 Senegal
2017
Uganda 0-1 Ghana
Uganda 0-1 Egypt
QUICK PERSPECTIVE
Player: Denis Onyango
Age: 40
Caps: 84
Afcon Tournaments: 3 (2017, 2019, 2025)
Afcon Matches Played: 7
Honours: Caf African Footballer of the Year (2016)
Result vs Tanzania: 1-1 draw
Penalty Faced: Simon Msuva (scored)
Key Save: One-on-one stop late in second half
Next Match: Uganda vs Nigeria (must-win)