By Former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango has expressed his support for goalkeeper Ismail Watenga, urging him to bounce back after a difficult performance in Uganda’s 3-1 loss to Mozambique on Wednesday.
Watenga endured a challenging night at Cairo International Stadium, playing a role in all three goals conceded before being substituted at halftime for Alionzi Nafian.
Addressing the incident, Onyango took to X (formerly Twitter) to encourage his successor, emphasizing that mistakes are an inevitable part of a goalkeeper’s career.
“Mistakes happen, Watenga. Even the best goalkeepers in the world have made massive errors. The difference? They don’t let those mistakes define them,” Onyango wrote.
He further highlighted the immense pressure goalkeepers face, where a single error draws intense scrutiny.
“As a goalkeeper, you live under a microscope—I can tell you that from experience. One mistake, and all eyes are on you. But listen carefully: The mistake itself doesn’t matter. It’s how you RESPOND that defines you.”
Onyango, Uganda’s longest-serving goalkeeper, has faced similar challenges in his career, including a difficult outing against Benin. His advice carries weight, given his experience in handling setbacks at the highest level.
“When a mistake happens, your instinct might be to drop your head, overthink, or mentally check out. DON’T. You have seconds—literally seconds—to reset. Own it. No excuses, no blame—just accept it and move on. You’re human. It happens. Reset your mind, take a deep breath, exhale the mistake, and focus on the next play. The game isn’t over. Stand tall—your body language speaks volumes.”
The Mamelodi Sundowns veteran, who has played in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) for years, advised Watenga—also a PSL-based goalkeeper—to show resilience and come back stronger.
“Show confidence, and your teammates will trust you again. Stick to the basics. Don’t try to make up for the mistake with risky decisions. Play solid, play smart. Use it as fuel. The best goalkeepers don’t just recover—they come back even STRONGER. Learn from it, and grow. Remember, one mistake does not define you—your response does. Shake it off, stand tall, and keep going. Because real goalkeepers? They bounce back stronger.”
Watenga will have an opportunity to redeem himself when Uganda faces Guinea at Namboole on Tuesday.
