Saturday, December 28th, marked the final matchday of the year in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Unlike most other weekends, this one was unique as all three Ugandan goalkeepers plying their trade in the league were in action.
Onyango Triumphs Over Magoola
The spotlight was on former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango as his Mamelodi Sundowns faced Salim Jamal Magoola’s Richards Bay at the Richards Bay Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal.
The match ended in a 2-0 victory for Onyango’s Sundowns, courtesy of goals from Arthur Sales in the 19th minute and Lucas Ribeiro in the 66th minute.
Onyango had a composed performance between the sticks, while Magoola had a challenging outing as his side struggled to contain the reigning champions.
Current Standings
Mamelodi Sundowns sit comfortably at the top of the PSL table with 30 points from 11 games.
Richards Bay languishes in 15th place, deep in the relegation zone, with only eight points from 12 matches.
Upcoming Fixtures
Mamelodi Sundowns will continue their CAF Champions League campaign on January 4, 2025, with a challenging trip to Morocco to face Raja Casablanca.
They return to league action on January 22 with a visit to bottom-placed Magesi.
Richards Bay will aim to bounce back on January 4, 2025, with a crucial away fixture against Marumo Gallants.
Watenga Keeps a Clean Sheet
Uganda Cranes’ first-choice goalkeeper, Ismail Watenga, made a long-awaited appearance for Golden Arrows.
The shot-stopper was in fine form as he kept a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Polokwane City at home.
This performance helped Golden Arrows move to eighth place on the log with 14 points from 10 games.
Polokwane, despite the draw, remain in third place with 21 points from 12 matches.
Upcoming Fixtures
Golden Arrows will face AmaZulu on January 4, 2025.
Polokwane will host Sekhukhune the following day.
A Promising End to 2024
While Onyango and Watenga celebrated strong performances, Magoola will look to regroup as the league resumes in January.
This matchday showcased the influence of Ugandan talent in South Africa’s top tier.
Onyango continues to cement his legendary status, Watenga proved his reliability with a clean sheet, and Magoola, despite the loss, remains a key figure for Richards Bay.
As the PSL heads into the new year, all eyes will be on these three Ugandan goalkeepers to see how they continue to make their mark in one of Africa’s most competitive leagues.
