Former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango has backed Ismail Watenga to bounce back after a disastrous showing in the 3-1 defeat to Mozambique on Wednesday.
The Cranes goalie put up a no show in the game at the Cairo International stadium and was partly responsible for all three goals Cranes conceded before he was replaced by Alionzi Nafian after the break.
“Mistakes happen Watenga. Even the best goalkeepers in the world have all made massive errors. Have made errors. The difference? They don’t let those mistakes define them,” Onyango, Watenga’s predecessor between the posts said on X.
“As a goalkeeper, you live under a microscope l can tell you. One mistake, and all eyes are on you. But listen carefully: The mistake is not what matters. It’s how you RESPOND that defines you.
Onyango, the longest serving goalkeeper in Uganda Cranes colours also came under a microscope especially after a horrendous show in Benin earlier in his career and he is the right person to talk when such thing happens.
“The moment it happens, your instinct might be to drop your head, overthink, or even mentally check out. DON’T. You have seconds—literally seconds—to reset. So, here’s how you bounce back fast: 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 advised Watenga, a fellow PSL goalie to show confidence 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 has a chance to redeem self on Tuesday when Uganda hosts Guinea at Namboole.
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