If there is a year that Uganda Cranes and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Dennis Masinde Onyango will always treasure, it has got to be 2016.
Arguably the best shot stopper on the African continent at the moment, Onyango has been ranked by International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) as the 10th best goalkeeper in the world.
Onyango who has had a splendid year for both club and country ranks above Arsenal’s Petr Czech and Barcelona’s Marc Andre Terstegen on the 13 man list topped by Bayern Munich’s Manuer Neur.
Just last week, Onyango made it to the final 3 man shortlist of the best African footballer based in Africa competing with teammate Khama Billiat and Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba.
Onyango,the only goalkeeper on the list who doesn’t ply his trade in Europe helped his club Mamelodi Sundowns to win the Premier soccer league in South Africa before going on to win the coveted Caf champions league.
Additionally, the shot stopper helped Uganda qualify for the African cup of Nations for the first time since 1978 keeping 4 clean sheets in six games.
Manuel Neur was crowned the best goalkeeper for 2016 accumulating 156 points to bag the award for the 4th successive year.
Veteran goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon settled for second spot on 91 points,65 behind Neur.
Onyango in 10th position had 5 points finishing above Petr Cech (Arsenal) who had four points,Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan) and Marc Andre Terstegen (Barcelona) who had 2 points and 1point respectively.
RANKING 2016
1- Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern München) 156 points
2- Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus Torino FC)
91 points
3- Rui Patricio (Portugal/Sporting Portugal)
50 points
4- Claudio Bravo (Chile/FC Barcelona/Manchester City FC)
45 points
5- David De Gea (Spain/Manchester United FC)
37 points
6- Jan Oblak (Slovenia/Club Atletico de Madrid) 31 points
7- Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham Hotspur FC)
29 points
8- Keylor Navas (Costa Rica/Real Madrid CF) 18 points
9- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium/Chelsea FC) 13 points
10-Denis Onyango (Uganda/Mamelodi Sundowns) 5 points
11-Petr Cech (Cech Republic/Arsenal London FC) 4 points
12-Samir Handanovic (Slovenia/FC Inter Milano) 2 points
13-Marc André Ter Stegen (Germany/FC Barcelona) 1 point