Who is Hussein Yunusu Matovu?

Hussein Yunusu Matovu is a former Ugandan goalkeeper who played for Kilembe Mines FC, KCC FC and the Uganda Cranes during the 1970s. He was a member of Uganda’s historic 1978 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up squad.

What position did Hussein Matovu play?

His Ugandan clubs are Kilembe Mines FC and Kampala City Council FC, now KCCA FC. He later played semi-professional football in the United Arab Emirates.

When did Hussein Matovu join KCC FC?

Matovu joined KCC FC from Kilembe Mines in 1975. He made six appearances during KCC’s first Uganda National League championship campaign in 1976 and remained at the club during its successful 1977 and 1978 period.

Did Hussein Matovu play for the Uganda Cranes?

Yes. Matovu represented the Uganda Cranes and was selected for the 1976 and 1978 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He has one appearance at an AFCON final tournament.

When did Hussein Matovu make his AFCON appearance?

He started in goal against hosts Ethiopia in Uganda’s opening match of the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations. Ethiopia won the match 2–0.

Did Hussein Matovu play in the 1978 AFCON final?

No. Matovu was part of Uganda’s 1978 AFCON squad but did not play during the tournament. Paul Ssali was Uganda’s starting goalkeeper in the final against Ghana.

Was Hussein Matovu a 1978 AFCON silver medallist?

Matovu was a member of the Uganda Cranes squad that finished runners-up at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations. He should therefore be described as a member of the runners-up squad.

What trophies did Hussein Matovu win with KCC FC?

During his time at KCC, the club won the Uganda National League in 1976 and 1977. He was also a member of the KCC squad that won the 1978 CECAFA Clubs Cup; the first Ugandan club to win the regional championship.

Is Hussein Matovu still involved in football?

He remains connected to former players through the Former Footballers Initiative. In 2026, he completed FUFA’s Football Administration and Management Course one through FFI.

What is Hussein Matovu’s full name?

His submitted full name is Matovu Hussein Yunusu Abdullah, while he is most commonly identified in football records as Hussein Matovu or Hussein Yunusu Matovu. His preferred public name should be confirmed with him.

Story

The story of Hussein

“Generally, football shaped me to be a disciplined person. It taught me how to interact and live with others favorably, getting friends both locally and internationally. The defining moment in my career was qualifying for and playing the final match at AFCON 78, bringing a Silver Medal home for Uganda.”

Hussein Yunusu Matovu

Profile summary

Hussein Yunusu Matovu is a former Ugandan goalkeeper who represented Kilembe Mines FC, Kampala City Council FC (now KCCA FC) and the Uganda Cranes. He played during Uganda’s celebrated football era of the 1970s and was a member of the national squad that reached the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations final in Ghana.

Career biography

Hussein Yunusu Matovu began attracting national attention while playing for Kilembe Mines FC in Kasese. During the 1970s, Kilembe Mines was one of Uganda’s strongest upcountry football clubs and competed in the country’s top division. The club produced several prominent sportsmen, including Uganda Cranes players.

Matovu’s performances in goal earned him a move from Kilembe Mines to Kampala City Council FC in 1975. At KCC, he joined a talented generation that established the club among the leading forces in Ugandan and East African football.

During KCC’s historic 1976 campaign, Matovu served as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper and made six league appearances. KCC finished one point ahead of Express FC to win its first Uganda National League championship.

He remained with the club as KCC successfully defended the championship in 1977. By 1978, Matovu had established himself as one of KCC’s leading goalkeepers.

Matovu was also a member of the KCC squad that won the 1978 CECAFA Clubs Cup in Kampala. KCC defeated Tanzania’s Simba SC on penalties in the final, becoming the first Ugandan club to win the regional championship.

Uganda Cranes career

Matovu represented the Uganda Cranes at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments: Ethiopia 1976 and Ghana 1978.

He made his documented AFCON debut against hosts Ethiopia on 29 February 1976. Matovu started in goal as Uganda opened its tournament campaign at the Haile Selassie Stadium in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia won the match 2–0.

That appearance is Matovu’s only currently documented match at an AFCON final tournament. Historical records of his other Uganda Cranes appearances—including qualifiers, friendly matches and regional competitions—remain incomplete and require further archival verification.

Matovu was selected again for the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. He travelled as one of Uganda’s three goalkeepers alongside Paul Ssali and Jamil Kasirye.

Paul Ssali was Uganda’s starting goalkeeper throughout the competition, while Matovu remained an unused member of the squad. He nevertheless belonged to the historic Cranes team that defeated Congo, Morocco and Nigeria on its way to the final.

Uganda faced hosts Ghana in the final on 16 March 1978 at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ghana won 2–0, leaving Uganda as tournament runners-up. The result remains Uganda’s best performance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Matovu’s place in that squad connects him permanently to one of the most significant achievements in Ugandan football history.

Football in the United Arab Emirates

Following the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, Matovu moved to the United Arab Emirates, where he played semi-professional football.

The precise name of his UAE club, his seasons there and his overseas appearances are still being verified. References to ADNOC FC and an Emirates football cup should only be added after the official club and competition details have been confirmed.

After his time in the UAE, Matovu returned to Uganda. Published reports have previously identified him as a businessman based in Kasese, although his current occupation and residence should be confirmed directly with him.

Life after playing football

Matovu has remained connected to the community of former Ugandan footballers through the Former Footballers Initiative.

In 2026, he completed the Football Administration and Management Course organised through FFI and facilitated by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations. The programme equips former players with knowledge in football governance, administration and business management.

His participation reflects FFI’s wider objective of helping former players use their experience to contribute to football administration and player development after retirement.

Personal reflection

Matovu credits football with teaching him discipline and helping him develop lasting relationships within Uganda and internationally.

Football shaped me into a disciplined person. It taught me how to interact and live favourably with others, and it gave me friends both locally and internationally.