Uganda and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Masinde Onyango was last night feted as the 2016 African Player of the Year based in Africa at CAF gala awards in Abuja, Nigeria.
Onyango became the first shot stopper to scoop the prestigious gong taking over the mantle from Tanzanian skipper Mbwana Samatta (a striker) who won it last year.
The 31-year-old ward off stiff competition from teammate Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe), who finished runners up, and TP Mazembe’s Rainford Kalaba (Zambia) who came in third.
He said, “I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made me better every day mostly my teammates at Mamelodi Sundowns, the coaching staff and management; the national team, the Cranes and all the players who made it this far with the team through hardship.
“Coach Micho, you have always been a father to me since I started my professional career, not to forget my manager Stancovic and sponsors. My family you have really blessed me and mostly my wife and kids, I love you.”
