Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane strongly believes that goalkeeper Denis Onyango will be named 2018 Caf Player of the Year.

The Ugandan shot-stopper was recently named in the Caf award 34-man shortlist for Player of the Year alongside former teammate Percy Tau.

However, Onyango faces stiff competition for the award from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Riyad Mahrez, to name a few.

Onyango has recently led his country to their second African Cup of Nations qualification for the event taking place next year.

Mosimane insists that the Uganda international deserves to win the accolade following his impressive display for Sundowns, stating that there is no goalkeeper better than him in Africa.

‘If you want to play the [Africa] Cup of Nations, [Caf] Champions League [then] Denis [Onyango] qualifies and he leaves zero behind,’ Mosimane told the media.

‘(He is present in) crosses, physical presence if you know what I mean. He is a monster and a typical African goalkeeper, how many times have I said this?

‘It’s his space and you need to tell me who is better than him in Africa because I watch the Champions League.’

Mosimane compared the former Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United keeper with the likes of Al Ahly, USM Alger and Wydad Casablanca keepers, but said they are not better than the lanky keeper.

‘I watch everybody, you can go to Esperance, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, USM Alger, you can go to ES Setif, you can go on and on, but Denis is number one in Africa.’

‘And I think if he is nominated for the goalkeeper of the year, he is going to win it. It won’t be the first time. I think he was the first goalkeeper to win it, but let’s see,’ he concluded.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix