Mamelodi Sundowns have been dealt a blow with club legend and Uganda national team captain Denis Onyango suffering an injury in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Botswana.
The 41-year-old was lured out of international retirement for the 2027 AFCON co-hosts after four years and has started eight of their last 14 international fixtures, keeping two clean sheets.
But in their latest fixture, in Group H, he lasted 42 minutes after being replaced by 22-year-old Kingdom Osayi, currently on the books of Swedish third-tier side Assyriska FF.
Head coach Paul Put said at the time of his return that experience was vital to usher a new generation and Onyango concured when accepting his call-up.
“Of course every team needs senior players and young blood because the young blood gives more energy and the senior players help the players to calm down when there is pressure to help them to manage the game,” he said last year.
“The game requires a lot of experience but it also requires a lot of running which is done by the young ones and that is what we share.”
Onyango has yet to feature for Sundowns this season, but made the bench on four occasions – this comes after head coach Miguel Cardoso confirmed the veteran keeper and captain Themba Zwane understood their roles.
It’s likely that he will officially hang up his gloves after this season concludes in his home country with the upcoming AFCON tournament, which would be his fifth and final tournament.
The Cranes are top of Group H after the 1-1 draw against the Zebras, with five points from three games.