Mamelodi Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane has called upon Denis Onyango to retire from international football moments before the club announced a new long term deal for Ugandan goalkeeper.
The Cranes captain has struggled with several injuries this season, missing a number of Sundowns’ games.
“He’s been unfortunate this year with injuries,” the coach told the media after Downs’ 1-1 draw against log leaders Bidvest Wits, a game Onyango did not finish because of an injury.
Mosimane even suggested that the he thinks Onyango should retire after AFCON in June.
“I heard a little bit from the other goalkeepers that he probably thinks that the Afcon (in June) should really be his last. He is 33 now hey? And maybe he must focus on Sundowns, especially when you have injuries like this. But we support Uganda – I am not saying he should not play. But sometimes they call him for Comoros, you know what I am trying to say. They must save him because I would like for him to continue. But that’s just the way it is.” according to Soccer Laduma in South Africa.
The 33-year-old was given a new four-and-a-half year contract extension with South African Premier Soccer League side champions.
Onyango joined the Mamelodi Sundowns in 2011 and during that time, he worked his way up to become the club’s undisputed No. 1, winning three league titles and the CAF Champions League title in 2016 as well as the CAF Super Cup in 2017.
Onyango has over sixty caps for the Cranes and two years ago he helped Uganda qualify for Africa Cup of Nations in nearly 40 years.