Ugandan goalkeeper named CAF Africa-based player of the year

Goalkeeper Denis Onyango, voted the best African-based player of 2016, will spearhead Uganda’s assault on the African Nations Cup title following the announcement of their squad for the finals on Thursday.

Uganda, returning to the finals in Gabon after an absence of almost four decades, will take inspiration from their 29-year-old keeper, who helped Mamelodi Sundowns, of South Africa, win the African Champions League in October.

His performances saw Onyango crowned as the Confederation of African Football’s best player based in the continent on Thursday at an awards ceremony in Abuja.

Onyango’s achievements had already seen him named Uganda’s Footballer of the Year and he is among 18 foreign-based players from an eclectic mix of countries in the 23-man squad, including Iceland, Lebanon, Finland, Vietnam and the US.

Uganda last played at the Nations Cup in 1978 when they finished runners-up. They make their return in Group D and start in Port Gentil on January 17 against Ghana.

Player of the year

Overall, Riyad Mahrez, a Leicester forward, was crowned the Confederation of African Football’s player of the year.

The 25-year-old Algerian, who helped Leicester win the English Premier League title, also won the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year award and the BBC African footballer of the year.

Riyad Mahrez, a Leicester forward, was crowned the Confederation of African Football's player of the year 2016. PHOTOS | AFP

Borussia Dortmund’s Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was second and Senegal and Liverpool striker Sadio Mane came third.

Arsenal and Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi, 20, won the young player award.

Countryman and Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 20, won the most promising talent award.

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango, 31, was named African-based player of the year and Nigeria forward Asisat Oshoala, 22, was named female player of the year.

Award winners:

  • African Player of the Year: Riyad Mahrez (Algerian, Leicester City)
  • African Player of the Year – based in Africa: Denis Onyango (Ugandan, Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Women’s Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigerian, Arsenal Ladies)
  • Most promising talent: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigerian, Manchester City)
  • Young Player of the Year: Alex Iwobi (Nigerian, Arsenal)
  • Coach of the Year: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Club of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns
  • National team of the Year: Uganda
  • Women’s national team of the Year: Nigeria
  • Referee of the Year: Bakary Papa Gassama

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