40-year-old Onyango dismisses retirement talk
Denis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Craig Martin of Chippa United during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on the 07 May 2025 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Denis Onyango has no plans to retire just yet, despite adding a record 12th South African Premier League title to his illustrious career.
The veteran Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, who has been part of the club's domestic dominance, has confirmed his intention to continue playing beyond the current season.
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The club now sets its sights on the CAF Champions League final against Pyramids FC and next month's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Although Onyango played second fiddle to first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams this season, he still featured in 10 Betway Premiership matches, contributing to Sundowns' historic eighth consecutive league crown.
'To be honest, I'm still here and I think one more (season) and the body will talk to me. I speak with confidence on the fact that I'm still at Sundowns for another season,' Onyango responded when asked about his future.
'It's all about showing the young ones that it's possible regardless of your age. I'm probably on 2% left and exhausted the 98% but it's for the youngsters to know that you need to work hard and talent alone is not enough.
The 40-year-old began his PSL journey with SuperSport United, where he won three league titles. He joined Sundowns in 2011, going on to lift a further nine championships with the Tshwane-based giants.
His path to success has not been without challenges. After being loaned to Bidvest Wits during the 2013–14 campaign, Onyango returned to Sundowns stronger, playing a pivotal role in their 2016 CAF Champions League triumph. That same year, he was honoured by CAF as the African-based Player of the Year.
'The first one (title) was incredible because it was my second season in South Africa with our neighbours SuperSport United,' Onyango said while reflecting on his remarkable career.
'The other one that I won which I think was special was I came back from a loan at Bidvest Wits back to Sundowns. I always wanted to reward them for the faith they showed me. Winning that league title in 2016 ignited the fire in me but the group was good.
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'The 12th one is good because we had challenges. We lost the cup final, changed coaches but the target was to win the league, stay in the Champions League and make history because it's going to be very difficult to find another team that will win eight titles in a row.'
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