Mamelodi Sundowns’ veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango has left the club’s pre-season camp in Rustenburg to join Uganda for the upcoming CHAN tournament.
Sundowns have been training at the Royal Marang to prepare for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
They kick off their season with an MTN8 quarter-final clash against Richards Bay FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening. Kickoff is 18h00.
The Brazilians regrouped last Monday after an impressive showing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. However, Onyango has had to depart from camp to fulfil national duties.
Uganda, Onyango’s home country, is co-hosting this year’s CHAN alongside Tanzania and Kenya. The tournament, aimed at showcasing players active in their domestic leagues, runs from August 2 to 30, 2025.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who retired from international football in April 2021, recently provided technical support to Uganda’s goalkeepers ahead of the tournament.
DENIS ONYANGO’S ROLE AT CHAN REVEALED
After reportedly sustaining an injury during pre-season preparations, the club has allowed him to leave camp and join his national team. He is expected to work with the Uganda Cranes’ goalkeeping team. Uganda’s goalkeepers include Denis Kiggundu, Joel Matakubwa and Chrispas Kusiima.
FUFA had requested that Onyango join them for the CHAN tournament, but Sundowns declined the request, citing their need for him during pre-season. Now, with the injury sustained, he is available to contribute to the Cranes’ campaign.
Interestingly, the host nation, who gained automatic qualification to CHAN 2024, is in the same group as Bafana Bafana. They open their campaign on August 4, 2025, against Algeria.
Onyango is highly regarded in his home country as the most successful footballer, having won a record 12 league medals in South Africa. Nine of these were secured with Sundowns, while three were achieved with SuperSport United.
Last season, he made 13 appearances across all competitions, an increase of four from the season prior. He has proven to be a dependable deputy to first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and is eager to continue making valuable contributions both on and off the pitch.
After winning the league last season, Onyango expressed his desire to keep playing, stating that it is now “about showing the youngsters it’s possible, regardless of your age.”
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