While appearing on NBS Sport’s ‘The Bench’ show, hosted by Fifi Phionah Pinky, Ugandan goalkeeping legend Denis Masinde Onyango reflected on the dramatic and often precarious early stages of his illustrious career.
Onyango, now celebrated as the most decorated player in South African football, recounted on how the risky, but strategic decisions he made as a young goalkeeper ultimately shaped his path to greatness.
Onyango, whose career is closely tied to South African clubs, has amassed an unparalleled record of 11 South African Premier Division titles.
Eight of these came with Mamelodi Sundowns, where he is a central figure, and three were secured with Supersport United. His journey, however, began far from the limelight of South Africa’s top-tier football.
In 2004, Onyango started his competitive football career with Sports Club Villa, the record and current Uganda Premier League champions.
His tenure there was marked by learning and growth, playing alongside notable names like Andy Mwesigwa, Simeon Masaba, Dan Bagaruka, Augustine Musumba, and Yasin Mugabi.
However, a significant turning point came with an opportunity to join Tanzania’s Young Africans SC (Yanga). In an evocative recount, Onyango described his grand but short-lived introduction to Yanga.
Welcomed with fanfare, he signed a contract and received $5,000, only to be instructed to return to SC Villa to complete the season.
“When I arrived in Dar es Salaam, they (Yanga) welcomed me with flowers, showcased me around the town and unveiled me in a full stadium. I signed the contract and was given $5000, and they told me to go back to Villa and finish the season and comeback.”
This move, however, was marred by controversy. “The officials at Villa got to know about the news of my signing with Yanga and they made it difficult for me to leave the club,” Onyango explained.
The complications led to former Villa and Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin Sredojevic (Micho) hijacking the deal, redirecting Onyango to Ethiopia’s Saint George S.C in 2005, a team that the Serbian was coaching at that time.
Describing his transition to St. George, Onyango spoke of his desire to leave SC Villa amidst financial struggles and a promising career trajectory.
“I always wanted to move to another club, because the situation at Villa had changed. We were demanding our salaries and I was on form. So the attention that I was getting from various clubs necessitated me to leave,” he said.
Micho, who had been a mentor, became a decisive figure in Onyango’s move. With a bold decision, Onyango joined Saint George, despite previously signing with Yanga and pocketing the advance payment.
Micho intervened, returning the $5,000 to Yanga and securing Onyango’s clearance.
“I later told him (Micho) after signing for St. George that I’d also previously signed for Yanga. He called the club and told them that they’d signed me through wrong means and gave them back the $5000 and they (Yanga) gave the clearance,” he narrated.
His time at Saint George between 2005 and 2006, although brief, was crucial for his development.
Onyango gained international exposure by participating in the Champions League and securing the Ethiopian Premier League title.
His stay at the Ethiopian club, however, took a dramatic turn when Egyptian scouts from Ismaily SC expressed interest in him.
“While I was playing for St. George in the Champions League, scouts from Egypt noticed my ability and wanted to take me to Ismaily SC in Egypt,” Onyango said.
“I dealt with one of the agents without telling coach Micho. I secretly sneaked out of the camp at midnight by jumping over the fence and boarded EyptAir to Egypt,” he added.
He then recounted how he signed a pre-mature contract with Ismaily FC saying, “When I reached Egypt, the agent took me to Ismaily and I met with the German coach who liked me. I signed a contract with them but the contract was in Arabic and I didn’t understand a thing.”
When coach Micho heard about news of Onyango signing a contract with another club, he confronted Ismaily SC and the deal was annulled due to contractual breaches.
“Coach Micho heard the news about my leaving and called the club (Ismaily) and told them that he was going to report them to FIFA because they’d broken the rules by signing an already contracted player.”
“They (Ismaily) panicked and agreed to take me back to Ethiopia. When Micho asked me, I told him that I’d just gone to visit the club.”
However, coach Micho told Onyango to be patient and finish the season, as he was going to take the goalkeeper with him to South Africa at the end of the season.
At the season’s end, Onyango’s career took a defining turn when he joined Supersport United while Micho moved to Orlando Pirates. This marked the beginning of his storied career in South African football.
During the show, Onyango also reflected on his choice of position. He emphasised the unique nature of goalkeeping saying, “It is a special position on the pitch because not everyone can become a goalkeeper.”
His passion for goalkeeping has clearly influenced the next generation, with his son Dion Onyango now following in his footsteps as a goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns U-13.
Onyanyo stated that his son Dion’s selection is not as a result of him being a son to the legendary goalkeeper, but due to merit.
“I have a son called Dion Onyango. He is a goalkeeper and he plays for Mamelodi Sundowns U-13. The club didn’t call him because of me, but he showed his love for and talent in goalkeeping.”
