Denis Onyango: Dilemma for Uganda Cranes Goalkeeper After Shakeup at Mamelodi Sundowns

Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Denis Onyango faces a big decision ahead at his club Mamelodi Sundowns.

Onyango is one of the longest-serving players at Sundowns, having joined the club in 2011, and also the club’s most decorated player with nine league titles as well as two CAF Champions League crowns with the South African giants.

For many years, Onyango was the undisputed No.1 at Sundowns until the arrival of South African Ronwen Williams changed things in 2022. Since then, the now 41-year-old has been serving as second-choice to Williams but that looks set to change in 2026-27.

This is because Sundowns have welcomed back two goalkeepers from their loan spells and one of them is highly-rated Ricardo Goss, who has spent the last four seasons at SuperSport United, now known as Siwelele FC.

Goss, and Ugandan Ismail Watenga, who spent last season on loan at lower league side AmaTuks, are back at Sundowns and the club has made it clear that the former will not go out again despite Siwelele’s desire to keep him.

So good is Goss that he is being touted to even dislodge Williams for the No.1 position and that potentially spells doom for Onyango.

Currently, Sundowns have seven goalkeepers in pre-season, the others being Reyaad Pieterse, Jody February and Nqobani Biyela. Before the loanees returned, the established order was Williams, Onyango, Pieterse and February.

With the return of Goss, that will alter things as he will likely be second-choice if coach Miguel Cardoso decides to keep faith with Williams as his main man in goal, pushing Onyango further down the pecking order.

With Pieterse seeing his contract extended, it means the club sees a future in him, and for Onyango, age and other factors might not favour him.

Onyango has seen his minutes reduced significantly and in 2025-26, he played just four games. He could end up not getting a look-in next season, which might need a rethink. Does he stay and act as an inspiration to the rest or seek opportunities elsewhere?

Sundowns have shown that they do not throw away their great servants and Onyango could be set for a different role next season given playing time will be hard to come by.