Sundowns goalkeeper Onyango says money not motivation for playing testimonials
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango has said money is not the motivation behind his involvement in testimonial matches for former Cranes team-mate Tonny Mawejje.
Onyango said this ahead of his involvement in a first match scheduled for Wednesday at Lugogo followed by the second game on Friday at Masaka in Uganda.
“Coming back home for @Tonny_Mawejje6’s testimonial games is not about money. It is about he brotherhood. I call upon all Ugandans out there to come & support the #TM6Testimonial tomorrow and on Friday in Masaka,” he said.
Onyango and Mawejje were part of history-making Cranes’ class of 2017 which ended the team’s 38-year wait for AFCON qualification.
The testimonial games will see the current Uganda squad taking on the former Cranes side led by Onyango.
NOT ABOUT THE MONEY
Mawejje is retiring from playing football after a career spanning over 20 years.
His national team career was a success as he made 84 appearances in the colours of the Cranes and scored eight goals.
The midfielder’s career ran from 2004 to 2018 during which he played for clubs such as URA and Police FC in Uganda, Golden Arrows in South Africa and for a number of teams in Europe.
Uganda coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has since named a 35-member squad for the testimonial matches and a mini-tournament in Libya.
The squad comprises six foreign-based players namely Giosue Bellagambi, Abdul Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Steven Sserwadda, Sadat Anaku and Derrick Kakooza who will not be available for the testimonial matches.
Home-based players Hillary Mukuandane, Abdu Karim, Bright Anukani and Najib Yiga have also been ruled out of the testimonials due to club commitments with Vipers FC.
“The six foreign-based players and four players from Viper SC will not be available for the testimonial matches but they will join us on Sunday as we travel to Libya,” the former Orlando Pirates mentor said.