Museveni extols skipper Onyango for being voted world’s best African goalkeeper

President Museveni has praised Uganda Cranes captain for raising the country’s flag high when he was named the best African goalkeeper in the entire world by the continent’s football governing body, CAF.

In a tweet, Museveni described Onyango as his son whom he said his “goalkeeping skills” have been enormous and have contributed greatly to the country’s footballing success in the recent years.

“I congratulate my son Denis Onyango for being named in Africa's best XI football team at the CAF awards in Dakar, Senegal,”Museveni tweeted accompanying it with a photo of Onyango together with Mohammad Salah, Sadio Mane and Cameroon legend, Jeremi Njitap.

“There's no doubt his goal-keeping skills have contributed immensely to Uganda's recent footballing success, and as a country, we are proud of him.”

Ugandans react

A number of Ugandans have also reacted to Museveni’s tweet heaping praise on the Mamelodi Sundowns’ shot stopper.

“Great talent indeed. Thanks for appreciating the talent and the sport Mr. President,” replied one Paul Bwengye Barya on Museveni’s tweet.

“Mr. President, it is time we fund sports, our country's name will always pop up in such ceremonies, God bless,” added one Aburek Eric Ongodia.

“Football is sustaining the economies of many African countries. I kindly request you, Mr. President, to invest in the young people from all the Regions of Uganda and develop their talents to replace the superstars like our brother Onyango. There is hope,” said Edward Okot Omoya.

At the function held in Dakar, Senegal that saw Egypt and Liverpool fowar Mohammed Salah voted the African footballer of the year, Uganda and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Onyango was named the best shot stopper on the continent and automatically qualified him to the best eleven in Africa to rub shoulders with other African stars mostly plying their trade in Europe.

Onyango, who plies his trade in the South African Premier Soccer League guided Ugandan to a back to back return to the Afcon finals to be played next year without conceding a goal in five qualifier games that Uganda has so far played.