Dennis Onyango’s career has had an upward spiral in the recent years but with age and injuries slowly taking a toll, the 31-year-old has not written off a move to play in Europe.
The Mamelodi Sundowns keeper has been phenomenal for the South African side, helping them win the 2016 CAF Champions League and automatically qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup, on top of winning the South African league.
The crowned 2016 Glo-CAF African Player of the Year – based in Africa and ranked 10th best goalkeeper in the world by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, was also instrumental in helping Uganda qualify for the 2017 Gabon Africa Cup of Nations in 39 years.
Onyango believes language is the major obstacle to upcoming African professionals seeking a chance to play even in lower league divisions especially in Europe.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Yes, West Africans can get a chance because of the language – they go to France and Belgium, and it is easy for them to adapt,”[/perfectpullquote]
Onyango told KickOff website.
“That’s also why you don’t see many West African goalkeepers in the PSL because it’s easier for them to go to the lower leagues in Europe.”
But an undeterred Onyango believes he can make it, given the chance, regardless of age.
He added, “Will the move come at 33 or 34? I don’t know. But maybe if I continue to look after myself and continue for many more years, it might.”
For now, the go-to-keeper for country and club has set his sights on winning the ABSA Premiership with Sundowns who have two games in hand and is pleased with his return to form as his club enters the final part of the season.
Onyango’s influence on the pitch was greatly missed following a knee injury that ruled him out for five matches and at the time, Sundowns failed to put up a single win.
Following his return, the team has scored six goals, conceded none and picked up six points from the past weeks’ two games.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”It was good to be back on the field after a long time,”[/perfectpullquote]
he told the Sunday World website in reference to the team’s 5-0 win over Stuart Baxter’s outfit.
“I think I was out for six to seven weeks, so it was good to come back in a game like the Tshwane derby (against SuperSport United). It was a turning point for us.”
Sundowns emerged winners on Wednesday night in the derby against SuperSport with a 1-0 lead to take the team to 44 points from 22 matches, but still in 4th position and one point behind third-placed Kaizer Chiefs.
Featured photo: Gallo Images
