South African Star Lauds Denis Onyango for Making Mamelodi Sundowns Winning Machine

Uganda Cranes veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango has been praised as one of the men who made South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns a force in African football.

Sundowns are now ranked as one of the best teams in Africa, having consistently challenged for the CAF Champions League, and are set to play a second straight final next month.

In South Africa, they are the undisputed kings, as they have won the last eight league titles in a row and Onyango has been involved in all of them.

In fact, Onyango has won nine league titles at Sundowns and was the best goalkeeper in Africa when they claimed their only CAF Champions League crown in 2016.

The former SC Villa goalkeeper joined Sundowns in 2011 from Mpumalanga Black Aces, having previously spent four successful years at the now defunct SuperSport United, where he won three league titles.

Sundowns’ current captain Themba Zwane has paid glowing tribute to Onyango, saying he was not just central to their success on the pitch but also in the dressing room, a role he still plays to date even though he is now a bit-part player.

“Denis won leagues at SuperSport and when he came to Sundowns, some of us as youngsters he was trying to teach us and say; ‘you have to adapt to this mentality of winning.’ He played a big role, even today, I am the captain of Mamelodi Sundowns but before I make decisions, I still consult Denis,” Zwane said on the Pitchside podcast as quoted by Afrik-Foot.

“He is the one who directs us as a team. He is our leader; he tells us what to do then we follow. He is playing an amazing role and I have so much respect for Denis. He is the one who reminds the young ones the culture of the team.”

Onyango is a legendary figure not just in Uganda and South Africa but also in Africa and remains the most successful player in the Premier Soccer League, having won a total of 12 titles.

A 13th one could arrive this season if Sundowns shake off the challenge of Orlando Pirates and potentially a second Champions League winner’s medal if the Brazilians beat Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat in a two-legged final next month.