Ugandan goalkeeping legend Denis Masinde Onyango has shared the reasons that have made him succeed in South Africa.
In an interview with NBS Pressbox, on Sunday evening, the former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper recounted his remarkable journey to becoming one of the most successful goalkeepers in Africa.
Onyango, who has spent the majority of his illustrious career with South African clubs, emphasized that his unwavering commitment and love for the game are the driving forces behind his remarkable success.
“I knew why I went to South Africa, and that was to earn a living,” he said.
The 39-year old’s path to stardom was not without its challenges. After joining Supersport United in 2006, he was initially not the first-choice goalkeeper.
However, Onyango’s determination never wavered, and he continued to push himself until he proved his worth. He said that football was his only way to earn in a foreign country, so he had to push on.
“Football was my only source of income, so I had to put in the work and effort to become a good example to the younger generation.”
In 2010, Onyango moved to Mpumalanga Black Aces, and a year later, he joined the powerhouse club Mamelodi Sundowns.
It was with Mamelodi Sundowns that Onyango truly cemented his legacy, winning the 2016 CAF Champions League and participating in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.
Onyango said that he’s happy with his contribution to Uganda, since other Ugandan goalkeepers like Omar Salim Jamal and Ismail Watenga now ply their trade in South Africa because of his good performance.
Over the course of his illustrious career in South Africa, Onyango has won 11 South African Premier Division titles, with 8 of those coming with Mamelodi Sundowns and 3 with Supersport United.
Onyango called upon young Ugandan footballers to have unwavering dedication and a relentless drive to excel in order to achieve greatness on the international stage.
