Watenga should follow Onyango

Maintaining the Masandawana star remains Mamelodi’s target, the tactician said he should learn from his experienced role model in order to succeed in South Africa.

Coach Rhulani Mokwena during his one week stay in Uganda has said Ismail Watenga has the potential to be like former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango’s success at Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

The former Sofapaka and Vipers SC goalkeeper was loaned to Chippa United so that he gains more game time and Mokwena believes he has a lot to learn from Masandawana’s current first-choice keeper.

The Chilli Boys signed the Cecafa Cup-winning goalkeeper in December 2020 after he had trained with the Brazilians and he was very influential for them to stay in the league last season.

“Watenga’s desire should be to follow in Onyango’s footsteps because he has got huge potential and hopefully he can be at the club [Mamelodi Sundowns] and play,” Mokwena told Football256.

“As far as Onyango is concerned, it took him time to stamp his position at Mamelodi. We all remember that he went to Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bidvest Wits on loan before he came back and became Sundowns’ number one goalkeeper.

Although Watenga was seen as Onyango’s heir-apparent at the Cranes, he has rarely featured for the national side, with former KCCA FC custodian Charles Lukwago being preferred instead being deputised by Nafian Alionz.

During the recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when Uganda were defeated by Algeria and drew 1-1 against Niger the 27-year-old was not part of the squad.

Watenga should follow Onyango

Meanwhile, Mokwena explained why Watenga a two-time Uganda Premier League winner was allowed to join Chippa and pinpointed an area the goalkeeper has to improve in order to up his game.

“We like Watenga so much and we have tried to invest in him. We sent him out to Chippa to get more playing time,” the coach added.