Football
Khalid Aucho’s Last Dance: Onyango heaps praise on outgoing skipper and Fufa for initiative
Denis Onyango has heaped praise on outgoing Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho describing him as a top professional on and off the pitch.
The midfielder announced retirement in October but was included in the squad to face Botswana in the ongoing Afcon 2027 qualifiers as a way to honour him and give him a decent send off after thirteen years on the national team.
“The nation has to honour him because he has been a top professional on and off the pitch,” Onyango told the media in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Botswana clash in Hoima City.
“Regardless of other factors, he has sacrificed so much for this country and honouring him with a win tomorrow (Saturday) will be a good farewell.
“He has spent most of his playing career abroad, in different countries, and it is not easy to do so. That only shows how incredible a player he has been. I can only wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Not many players have had an opportunity for a proper send off like Aucho will get which has seen Onyango praise FUFA on the initiative.
“It is a good initiative from FUFA, and I hope it can be a culture going forward. This should be a stepping stone to honour players who excel with the national team, and when they choose to retire, a perfect send-off is good.”
Onyango also promised that whenever Aucho appears on the pitch against the Zebras, he will have the armband.
“I call him captain and if we share pitch same time against Botswana, he will surely have the armband.”
Paul Put wants the Cranes to win the fixture against Botswana for Aucho who he worked with as captain during his tenure.
“It has been a pleasure to work with him as captain of the team. It is not easy to be in the National Team for 13 years, but Aucho has done so.
“We appreciate him for the service, and we hope we can win the game for him tomorrow.”
Because he has donned the number 8 through his time on the Cranes, FUFA has called on fans to applaud the captain in the 8th minute.
Alongside Onyango from the current generation, Aucho has played at three Afcon finals; 2017, 2019 and 2025.
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