I would have loved to play against SA – Onyango

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Jun 09, 2021. 15:00

Former Uganda international goalkeeper Denis Onyango says he would have loved to play against South Africa, with Bafana Bafana and the Cranes meeting in a friendly match in Soweto on Thursday evening.

Onyango, who was recently awarded the DStv Premiership’s goalkeeper of the season award for his heroics with Mamelodi Sundowns, hung up his international gloves earlier this year after Uganda’s failure to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations.

A former captain of the Cranes, Onyango told Sowetan Live that he would have enjoyed playing against the national team of the country he has played his club football in since 2006.

“I would have loved to be there to play, but unfortunately I have retired,” said the 36-year-old.

“I saw that Bafana have called [up] many youngsters and Uganda are trying to rebuild. I anticipate a good game between the two countries.

“I hope to be at the stadium. I want to be there and get the feel of supporting my country. My job is to encourage and support the team.”

He continued, “It is a battle between two new coaches. Bafana has a new coach [Hugo Broos, who will not be present for the match, with assistant coaches Helman Mkhalele and Cedomir Janevsk at the helm] and the same thing applies to Uganda [Mubiru Abdallah].

“We have many young players and we hope that they will give us a good show. I am looking forward to the game and cannot wait to see my country in action.”

South Africa and Uganda last met in a COSAFA Cup match in 2019, which ended 1-1 in Durban after goals from Dan Sserunkuma and Luther Singh.