By Ahmed Kamoga
Uganda’s goal keeper Denis Masinde Onyango has finally given up his gloves and retires from national team after 16 year career with his strong gloves Uganda cranes managed to winning 83 cups, the longest streak ever served by a Goalkeeper in Uganda’s football history.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from international football. After much consideration, my family, managers and I, decided it was in my best interest to hang my gloves on my beloved Cranes
Big thanks to every Ugandan over the years” Onyango posted on his twitter page on Monday evening.
The development comes in the wake of an ongoing conflict between FUFA President, Magogo and players.
Last week, in a leaked audio, Onyango pinned Fufa president Moses Magogo for being selfish and not caring about the well being of players after retired cranes player Mike Mutyaba peaceful demonstrated at FUFA house demanding for Players salaries and probably this is one of the reasons for his retirement.
In a letter addressed to Magogo and FUFA, Onyango said his retirement takes effect on Monday.
“I sit here with tears rolling down my eyes because after a lengthy consideration I have come to the decision of retiring from international football with immediate effect,” he said in a Facebook post.
“It is a sad day in my life knowing that I will never wear the jersey of my beloved Cranes in front of passionate fans again. I will now become the number one supporter who wears the jersey watching from the stands or from home.
It is through the Ugandan national team that I have grown from a boy into the man and father that I am now.”
The Mamelodi Sundown FC skipper further noted that he didn’t want to retire but I felt it is better to leave good memories and allow the younger goalkeepers to compete for that jersey which he has worn with pride for 16 years.
” For all the success that I have enjoyed in my career I owe so much of it to the national team. It was because of my national team that I got to play against all the best players from across the continent who play in top leagues all over the world.
I played at the AFCON finals because of the Cranes. The joy of being at the AFCON finals after so many years was sweet. To sing my national anthem was the greatest joy that I will ever have being the ‘proud boy’ from Uganda that I am.
Onyango is the second player to announce retirement, following Hassan Wasswa Mawanda who also hang up his boots over the weekend.
