Onyango wanted more family time, to manage his body well

Denis Onyango

What you need to know:

Calling It A Day. Our soccer expert Andrew Mwanguhya got an exclusive interview from the retiring Cranes skipper and below are the excerpts;

How easy or difficult was the decision to retire from Cranes?

It hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but after consultation with my family and my agent, I think I made right decision and I already informed all parties involved that I am retiring from the national team.

 Why now, especially with the World Cup qualifiers just under two months away?

There is always going to be something. Be it World Cup qualifiers, Afcon or something else. I believe that it is the time to do so now, I also believe that our national team is well covered on the goalkeeping position, and it is time to give opportunity to the new guys. Last year, Covid restrictions and new protocols took me away from my family for many days. As you know my club, Mamelodi Sundowns, is competing on many fronts; league, cups, Caf Champion League. I just feel I need more rest between seasons and that is primarily the reason behind my decision to retire from the national team.


Is it also true that you actually bid farewell to your colleagues after the Malawi game in Blantyre?

Yes I informed them as well as the technical team about my intention. However, I would never bid any farewells to the national team; neither to any of my colleagues. I will remain a true sportsman, real friend and I will always stay in contact with them. Always available to provide advice and support. It’s my country, my team and will always remain that way.


What is your best memory of playing for, and captaining the national team?


From my first call up until now every single time I put that jersey on I felt pride and honour for representing my country. The time I put that armband on was special; the time when I contributed to the team success was special; the time when I hear the national anthem; the roar of the crowd when at home. I left with positives only as I know I gave my 100% every time I represented my country.

Any regrets in national colours?

No, absolutely not. As I said, I know I played for my country with pride and always giving 100%. Sometimes in sport we face better teams and defeat is part of the game, as long you give your all there is no regrets.

Who is the toughest player, and team you’ve faced in Cranes colours? Mohammed Salah and Egypt. Benin was also tough.

Can this decision to hang your gloves for the national team be reversed if you got a one-on-one with the Fufa president, Moses Magogo?

No, Engineer Magogo and Fufa have nothing to do with my decision.

And by the way, how is your relationship with the Fufa president?

I am the player, I was the team captain, he is the president. We interacted when and if necessary. Like every relationship we had our ups and downs, but in general we succeeded in some aspects, maybe could have done better in others, but overall we created a good working environment.

What is your opinion on how Fufa treated coach Johnny McKinstry?

I am the player, appointment of the coach and handling of the coach issue is a job of the federation. I am not aware of details so I can’t comment on that.

Now, there is an audio doing rounds of you calling out the Fufa president on his ‘shitty football’ comment about Chan players, and also agreeing with Mike Mutyaba that Fufa actually embezzles players’ money... Do you own up to that audio and all its other entails?

Most of the stuff on that audio has been taken out of context. I am not denying that it is me talking, am just saying that the entire content of the discussion should be taken into consideration before making any judgment. The president, in the heat of the discussion with media, used inappropriate and wrong language. So I believe he regretted later on. I needed to defend myself and my teammates, as a player, as a colleague, and the most as a captain. I would never allow derogatory words to be thrown at national team players without me voicing disappointment. That was my duty as a team captain and as a human. On the other issue you raised about non-payment of the promised “players money,” I strongly believe that money is owed to them and money should be paid. Equally I believe that Fufa and president Mr Magogo will fulfil the promises made, and money will be paid. I also want to highlight that the president and I had a telephone conversation about the audio and we cleared the air between the two of us and no further comment about that is necessary.

You retire before President Museveni fulfils his $1m pledge made to Cranes players after Afcon Egypt 2019 finals. What is your message to him?

Hmmm, who am I to give advice and send a message to the President? It has been promised and we were informed about that. Fufa and the appropriate line Ministry should communicate and we as beneficiaries should be adequately informed. Protocols need to be respected. I believe Fufa should take the lead on that, not us the players.

What will be your role in Ugandan football going forward?  For now, I am diehard supporter of my country.

Denis Onyango

Are we seeing Onyango challenge for Fufa presidency in the near future?

In the near future, I will be focusing on my club duties and my family. Mamelodi Sundowns and my kids and my wife are my focus now and they all deserve my attention so. I will focus on them.  

What is your message to Uganda Cranes fans, and your fans?

The best fans on the world! I will always remember your support; goose bumps, I had, every time I heard the roars in the stadium. We had some great moments together and I will never forget them. Love you all from the bottom of my heart. Please just continue being our 12th player and keep supporting.

Any final remarks?

Our under 20s team (finished second at 2021 Afcon U20 finals) made us proud. I just want to give them a message. Soon, ‘most of you will be in the senior national team, just continue where we stopped’.


ONYANGO BRIEFLY


SENIOR CAREER

2004/5: SC Villa     

2005/6: St. George

2006/10: Supersport Utd  

2010/11: Mpumalanga B.A

2011/13: Mamelodi S’downs

2013/14: Bidvest Wits (loan)

2014-Todate: Mamelodi. S

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2016: Caf Champions League winner

2016: African Player of the Year based on the continent

2017: Caf Super Cup winner

Seven PSL titles: Three with SuperSport United and four with Mamelodi Sundowns

Named: in Africa’s Best XI in 2016, 2017 and 2018

Played: 2016 Fifa Club WC

Two successive: Afcon finals at Gabon 2017 and Egypt 2019

Ranked 10th: Best goalkeeper in the world in 2016 as compiled by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.