Uganda Cranes’ head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic believes goalkeeper Dennis Onyango is favorite to win the Best footballer of the year (based in Africa) award.
Sportingly, Onyango has been heads and shoulder above the rest. Only, Khama (Billiat) is better positioned to compete with him.
Both won the CAF Champions league and helped their countries qualify for the AFCON 2017 finals.
Onyango was superb throughout the campaign conceding just twice (a penalty against Burkina Faso and one from open play against Botswana).
Onyango is nominated with three other teammates at Mamelodi Sundowns; Keegan Dolly, Hlompho Kekana (both South Africans) and Zimbabwe’s Khama Billiat.
Onyango has had an exceptional year leading Uganda Cranes to the AFCON finals for the first time in over 38 years.
The nominees for the overall award have the reigning MVP, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City), Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma) and Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City).
Nominees for African Player of the Year (Based in Africa):
- Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns & Zimbabwe)
- Keegan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
- Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe & Zambia)
- Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
- Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns & Uganda)
Nominees for African Player of the Year Award:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma)
- Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City)
