Debutant Arnold Vula scored the only goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, heading in Allan Okello’s free-kick. The Cranes sit top of Group H on four points after a 1-1 draw in Tunisia. Libya have one point.
Onyango, 41, was rated the outstanding player. Libya created the clearer early chances through Ezoo El Mariamy, but the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper blocked from close range and later watched El Mariamy blaze over from five yards. Uganda’s first competitive match at the new stadium ended with a clean sheet.
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are already through to the finals as co-hosts. Only one other side from Group H — Tunisia, Botswana or Libya — will join them. Coach Paul Put is using the qualifiers to blood players such as Vula while keeping the veteran in goal.
Onyango retired from international football in 2021 and was recalled last year. He is in his 21st consecutive season in the South African top flight and has won a record haul of PSL titles with Sundowns. Next he returns to South Africa for the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on 10 October.
Put’s side held on after Vula’s header. Substitutes Kelvin Boateng, Denis Omedi and Allan Oyirwoth helped close the game. For Uganda the three points matter less than the performance. For Onyango, another night in the Cranes jersey showed why Put still trusts him at 41.