Denis Onyango (born 15 May 1985 in Kampala) is a Ugandan footballer who plays for South African Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns and Uganda as a goalkeeper and serves as vice-captain of Uganda Cranes.
Renowned for his penalty-saving and one on one situation, Denis Onyango will make his first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in the 31st edition that will be hosted by Gabon from 14 January 2017 to 5 February 2017 after helping the Cranes qualify for the finals by conceding only two goals in six matches in their qualifying group.
Onyango also won the 2016 CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns before taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup. He is all round, very consistent and calm as described by Mark Anderson a former sundowns goalkeeper coach.
On 5 January 2017, Onyango was voted the 2016 African Player of the year – based in Africa at the CAF Awards held in Nigeria. The final tally saw Onyango pick up 252 votes, compared to 228 votes for second place Khama Billiat.
Onyango was ranked as the tenth best goalkeeper in the world in list for 2016 compiled by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.
Club career
Onyango has played club football for Sharing Nsambya, SC Villa, Saint George SC, SuperSport United F.C., Mpumalanga Black Aces F.C., and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Renowned for his penalty-saving and one on one situation, Onyango won the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award (best player in the South African top division) in the 2015/2016 season and kept 14 clean sheets as Sundowns earned a record 71 points.
The player’s agent in South Africa is Ivica Stankovic.
The Uganda Sports Press Associations voted Onyango as the best sports personality in the month of October 2016 in Uganda.
On 8 July 2010, he was released by SuperSport United. On 26 July, the Mpumalanga Black Ace signed Onyango from SuperSport. On 2 August 2013, the Ugandan international goalkeeper secured a loan move to Premier Soccer League side Bidvest Wits University from Mamelodi Sundowns.
International career
Onyango made his first international debut for the Uganda Cranes national team in 2005 when Uganda Cranes was playing in World Cup Qualifiers on Saturday 18. June 2005 Uganda Cranes versing Cape Verde. From then Onyango has been a regular player in Uganda Cranes matches.
Honors
Club
1. Super Sport United
- Premier Soccer League (3): 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
2. Mamelodi Sundowns
- Premier Soccer League (2): 2013-14, 2015–16[19]
- Nedbank Cup (1): 2014–15[19]
- Telkom Knockout (1): 2015[19]
- CAF Champions League (1): 2016
- CAF Super Cup (1): 2017
