Denis Onyango returns to Uganda Cranes after 4-year retirement

• Denis Onyango returns to the Uganda Cranes squad for the first time since retiring in 2021, ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
• The 28-man squad includes 11 players from the recent CHAN tournament and 17 based abroad, signaling a mix of experience and talent.
• Uganda faces Mozambique on September 5th and Somalia on September 8th at Namboole Stadium, aiming for a historic World Cup qualification.
  

A 28-man squad has been announced by the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) in preparation for the upcoming international break, during which the Uganda Cranes will compete in two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. Among the selected players is a surprising inclusion that many never expected to see back on the national team—Denis Masinde Onyango.

The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper is notably the first name listed. It is important to mention that Onyango retired from international football four years ago in 2021 following the Cranes’ failure to qualify for the 2022 AFCON tournament.

Thus, returning after such a long absence from the national team is quite significant, especially considering he is nearing the end of his career.

Prior to his retirement, Onyango had made 82 appearances for the Cranes and is one of the most respected figures in Ugandan football. A great deal has changed during his extended retirement, including the captaincy.

The captain’s armband has been consistently worn by midfielder Khalid Aucho; however, he was not included in this squad. Elio Capradoss has also served as captain for the Cranes. Emma Okwi took over after Onyango but also announced his retirement from international duty in March of this year.

In addition, another South African league goalkeeper, Salim Jamal Magoola, is returning to the team after being sidelined for a period.

The squad consists of 4 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 7 forwards. Furthermore, it includes 11 players who have been participating in the ongoing CHAN tournament, where Uganda was eliminated in the Quarter Finals by Senegal. A total of 17 players are actively playing outside their home country.

Joseph Paul Put’s team is set to face Mozambique on September 5th, followed by a match against Somalia on September 8th, with both games scheduled to take place at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.

As it stands, Uganda is currently in third place in Group G, sharing 9 points with Botswana after 6 matches. Mozambique leads the group with 12 points.

The Cranes will be striving for maximum points in both of these matches, as they have 4 games remaining to secure a historic first-time qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.