Denis Onyango will for long embody the true definition of a legend, inspiration, longevity, and professionalism after returning for pre-season at Mamelodi Sundowns on Monday.
The significance of Onyango reporting back for duty is that it marks his 20th season playing topflight football in South Africa.
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Yes, for 20 years in a row Onyango has been in the Betway Premiership doing so while becoming the most decorated footballer to play in the PSL era years.
With the 19 seasons that have come and gone so far, Onyango has been a league champion 12 times and through that journey has also won the CAF Champions League, CAF Super Cup, African Football League, Nedbank Cup (thrice), Telkom Knockout (twice), and MTN8.
Incredible from the Ugandan who remains a jolly good fellow to this day with a consistent wide smile, zero arrogance and undiluted humility.
For all that Onyango has achieved he has never been pompous and always time for all.
Having turned 40 in May, it means the veteran goalkeeper has now spent half his life and all his adult years playing football in South Africa.
Onyango made his way from Ethiopian club Saint George to SuperSport United in June 2006 just a month after he turned 21.
His goalkeeping teammates were Andre Arendse and Lance Niewenhuis with Grant Johnson still registered as a back-up though he was now goalkeeper coach.
Upon leaving Matsatsantsa he had three league titles and after spending a season at Mpumalanga Black Aces then made his way to Mamelodi Sundowns in July 2011.
In between all the years he has spent reporting to Chloorkop, he has also spent a season on loan at Bidvest Wits.
Of late he has become a reliable back-up option for Ronwen Williams, and just last season played 13 games.
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His agent Ivica Stankovic has always spoken glowingly about Onyango with the two having worked together for over 20 years.
Considering that Onyango still has the trust of his coaches, the decision relating to whether the 2025/26 season becomes his last will come down to him.
Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns
