Uganda Cranes legendary goalkeeper Denis Onyango has made a surprising comeback to the national team four years after his retirement.
The Mamelodi Sundowns captain and former African Footballer of the Year (2016) announced his international retirement in 2021 following Uganda Cranes’ failure to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Onyango has now been recalled to the squad announced today by Cranes Head Coach Paul Put.
Onyango, along with another unexpected call-up, Omar Salim Jamal Magoola, is among the 28 players summoned for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Mozambique.
The matches are scheduled to take place next month at Mandela National Stadium.
The squad also features 11 players from the Total Energies CHAN 2024 team, including Joel Mutakubwa, Joel Sserunjogi, Allan Okello, and Rogers Torach, with the remainder of the squad playing abroad.
Onyango has earned 79 caps for the senior national team since his debut in 2005 against Cape Verde.
Omar Salim Magoola, who plays for Richards Bay in South Africa, also returns to the Cranes squad after last featuring in 2023.
The team will begin their residential camp on Sunday at FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi.
By Newsroom
27th Aug 2025
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