Denis Masinde Onyango
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Uganda Cranes have named their squad for the September international window, and the headlines are dominated by the unexpected return of veteran goalkeeper Denis Masinde Onyango.
Onyango, who currently plays for South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, retired from international football in 2021 after Uganda failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. At the time, he was widely celebrated for his 82 appearances and years of leadership as captain. Few expected him to wear the national colors again, making his recall a major talking point across the football fraternity.
Since Onyango’s exit, the Cranes have gone through several captaincy shifts. Khalid Aucho has been the regular skipper, while Elio Capradossi has also led the team. Emmanuel Okwi briefly held the armband until his retirement earlier this year. Onyango’s reappearance may not necessarily mean he will regain captaincy, but his experience is expected to bring stability to the dressing room.
Another notable inclusion is Salim Jamal Magoola, who plies his trade in the South African Premier Division. His recall ends a spell away from the national team and strengthens Uganda’s options in goal.
The 28-man squad features a mix of established professionals and local talents. Eleven players come directly from the CHAN team that recently reached the quarterfinals before being knocked out by Senegal, while 17 of the squad members are based abroad.
Coach Paul Put and his team are preparing for back-to-back 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Uganda will host Mozambique on September 5th and Somalia on September 8th, both fixtures scheduled for Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
The Cranes currently sit third in Group G with nine points, level with Botswana but three behind leaders Mozambique. With four games left, Uganda’s path to a historic first World Cup qualification remains open—though they must maximize points in the upcoming matches.
At 39, Onyango is in the twilight of his career, but his inclusion signals FUFA’s and the technical team’s belief that his experience, command, and calm presence could be decisive in a tight qualification race.
For many Ugandans, his return revives memories of his heroic performances, especially in the 2017 AFCON qualification campaign where he stood as the backbone of the Cranes’ defense. Whether he starts or not, his influence is expected to galvanize the team at a critical stage.
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