Correspondent|Denis Onyango has expressed his gratitude after being named in the Africa Best XI team for 2018. The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper occupies the place between sticks in a team that features Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Riyad Mahrez’s of Manchester City among other notable stars.

Onyango, 33, is the only Africa-based player in the team. The shot-stopper helped the Uganda Cranes to 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification last year and is yet to concede a goal in the qualifying campaign.

He also played a integral part in helping the Brazilians to an eighth Absa Premiership crown in 2018. “Of course it means a lot to me, the club and the national team, because being recognised in the Best XI shows that I have done well with both club and country,” Onyango is quoted as saying.

“So for me it’s an honour to be part of this history and it gives me more motivation as a goalkeeper to work hard because you don’t know who is watching and people recognise you when you perform. It keeps me going in the goalkeeping department,” he said last night. “It’s an inspiration to other people out there that you can do it, as long as you do it on the field. You must always give your best.”