Cranes goalkeeper Onyango bags sh277m in bonuses

Oct 25, 2016

On Sunday, Onyango became the first Ugandan to win the CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League final result

Zamalek 1 Sundowns 0

(Sundowns win 3-1 on agg.)

December 8-18

FIFA Club World Cup

Dennis Onyango is on the verge of his biggest bonus pay day, thanks to Mamelodi Sundowns billionaire owner Patrice Motsepe's generousity.

On Sunday, Onyango became the first Ugandan to win the CAF Champions League after helping Sundowns seal a 3-1 aggregate victory against Egyptian side Zamalek.

And the reward for winning Africa's biggest club competition is $1.5m (sh5b).

So how much of that prize cash will filter through to the players?

"All of the $1.5 million [R20.9m] — is all theirs. They must now sit down and start thinking about how they are going to divide that money amongst themselves‚" Motsepe told South Africa publication KickOff.

Motsepe, whose wealth is valued at $1.49b (sh5 trillion), has stuck with his club's bonus policy, where players earn R10,000 (sh2.4m) per league win and share all the cash prize for a cup competition.

It means that each Sundowns player will pocket sh277m.

Motsepe, a mining magnate who purchased Sundowns in 2003, did not make the gesture without advising the players.

"I just said to them‚ ‘Guys‚ don't waste the money now. Take some of that money and invest it," he recounted. "It will benefit you when your football days are over'."

Onyango (pictured right)and his teammates will reap extra millions depending on how far Sundowns progresses at the FIFA Club World Cup in December (8-18).

When the FIFA Club World Cup was re-launched in 2005, the total amount of prize money moved to $16m (sh56b).

The winners receive $5m (sh17b) and the runners-up $4m (sh14b), with $2.5m (sh9b) for third place, $2m (sh7b) for fourth, $1.5m (sh5b) for fifth, $1m (sh3b) for sixth and $500,000 (sh1.7b) for seventh place.

Sundowns win on Sunday was a remarkable triumph because the South Africans were eliminated in the final qualifying round in April only to be reinstated when their Democratic Republic of Congo opponents were disqualified.

"It was an amazing journey of ups and downs and now we are the champions of Africa," said Sundowns' Zimbabwe striker Khama Billiat.

"We look forward to Japan and facing the best clubs in the game. It is going to be an absolute pleasure."

Winger Keagan Dolly said: "We knew it was going to be difficult because Zamalek are a great team with some outstanding individuals.

"Some people will say we were lucky to get a second chance after being eliminated, but I believe we deserve to be African champions."

Over 60,000 Zamalek supporters made their way into the 86,000-capacity Borg El Arab.

But despite roaring the home team and trying to intimidate Sundowns throughout the game, the Brazilians survived the early pressure.

Sundowns were however dealt a blow midway through the first half when they lost first-choice keeper Onyango to injury.

Onyango had been targeted right from the start, and was stamped on without consequence.

Onyango, a nominee for 2016 Africa Footballer of the Year and Africa-based Footballer of the Year, needed medical attention three times before being replaced by Wayne Sandilands on 28 minutes.

In the end, Sundowns held on before being crowned African champions and qualifying for the FIFA Club World Club where they will take on the likes of Real Madrid in Japan.

 

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