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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says he is thankful after being named amongst the world's best goalkeepers of 2016 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.
The Uganda international had a fantastic year after winning the Absa Premiership as well as the CAF Champions League with the Brazilians. He is also a nominee for the CAF Player of the Year Award for those players based in Africa.
The 29-year-old finished 10th overall in a list which was led by Bayern Munich and Germany superstar Manuel Neuer. Nonetheless, Onyango ended ahead of the likes of Arsenal's Petr Cech and Barcelona's Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
As such, Masandawana's number one has expressed gratitude at being honoured.
"It all points to one thing...the club is in a good space. Thank you the club president, Mr Patrice Motsepe, for his vision. He has been by our side all the way and gave us a platform to change our lives for the better," he said on the club's website.
"Personally, since I got to Sundowns I have become a better goalkeeper and a better person.
"The dedication of our technical team and backroom staff has not gone unnoticed. I am proud to be part of this current generation of Sundowns players. I also hope we inspire an even better generation of player."
IFFHS 2016 ranking:
2. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus Torino FC) - 91 points
3. Rui Patricio (Portugal/Sporting Portugal) - 50 points
4. Claudio Bravo (Chile/FC Barcelona/Manchester City FC) - 45 points
5. David De Gea (Spain/Manchester United FC) - 37 points
7. Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham Hotspur FC) - 29 points
8. Keylor Navas (Costa Rica/Real Madrid CF) - 18 points
9. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium/Chelsea FC) - 13 points
10. Denis Onyango (Uganda/Mamelodi Sundowns) - 5 points
11. Petr Cech (Cech Republic/Arsenal London FC) - 4 points
12. Samir Handanovic (Slovenia/FC Inter Milano) - 2 points
13. Marc André Ter Stegen (Germany/FC Barcelona) - 1 point
