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Ali Ssendegeya

GKGoalkeeper· Central region

Ali Ssendegeya

Career1970–1980

Story

The story of Ali

A former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper from one of the country's most memorable football generations of the 1970s. An athletic goalkeeper noted for his reflexes and acrobatic shot-stopping, Ssendegeya represented Uganda at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations and later devoted many years to coaching and developing other footballers.

Uganda Cranes and AFCON 1976

Ssendegeya's defining international chapter came in 1976 when he was selected for the Uganda Cranes squad that travelled to Ethiopia for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Uganda faced hosts Ethiopia, Egypt and Guinea in Group A. Ssendegeya appeared in two of the Cranes' three matches, keeping goal against Egypt on 3 March and Guinea on 5 March.

Although Uganda lost both matches 2–1 and did not progress beyond the group stage, competing at Africa's premier international tournament placed Ssendegeya among the Ugandan goalkeepers to have represented the country on the continental stage.

He shared that era with some of the outstanding names of Uganda's Golden Generation, including Jimmy Kirunda, Ashe Mukasa, Tom Lwanga, Denis Obua, Moses Nsereko, Phillip Omondi, Polly Ouma and Leo Adraa.

Club Career

Ssendegeya's domestic career included spells with some of the important clubs of his generation.

He featured for Kampala City Council in the mid-1970s before joining Coffee, where he was already recognised as a Cranes goalkeeper. During the 1976 season, Ssendegeya provided serious competition in goal and produced a memorable run of three consecutive clean sheets against Kilembe, Lira and Uganda Commercial Bank.

Contemporary recollections describe him as an acrobatic goalkeeper, capable of spectacular diving saves and strong positional play.

His career also took him to Kenya before he became associated with Express FC. Published historical records place him with the Red Eagles through part of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Later career records also associate him with Uganda Motors and Busia Park.

The different clubs and environments through which Ssendegeya passed gave him a football education that would become important in the second chapter of his career.

From Goalkeeper to Coach

Ssendegeya did not leave football when his playing days began to wind down.

By the early 1980s he had moved into coaching. He was in charge of Gomba Motors, where he worked with emerging players and helped shape footballers who later reached Uganda's top level.

Among those associated with his coaching was George Ssimwogerere, who would go on to become an Express FC and Uganda Cranes captain.

Decades later, Ssendegeya remained involved in player development. During the 2021–22 season he served as goalkeepers' trainer at Ndejje University FC, passing his experience to another generation of Ugandan goalkeepers.

Life After Football

Ssendegeya's journey represents more than his appearances between the posts. From an AFCON goalkeeper to club football, coaching and goalkeeper development, his career has remained connected to the game across generations.

He has also remained part of Uganda's community of former internationals, participating in initiatives bringing together past Cranes players and contributing to the continuing conversation about the welfare, recognition and legacy of former footballers.

For the Former Footballers Initiative, Ali Ssendegeya's story is an important reminder that Uganda's football heritage is built not only by the famous victories and trophies, but also by footballers who represented the country, guided younger players and continued serving the game long after their final match.

Career

On the record

The full timeline

  1. 1970

    Uganda CranesWith Uganda Cranes (National Team)

    Tour of West Germany and the Coining of "The Cranes"

    In August 1970, the national team traveled to the Federal Republic of Germany for an intensive training tour under German coach Burkhard Pape. Just before flying out, team manager Andrew Wasaaka Musoke coined the national tag "The Cranes," marking the first time the national side played under this iconic moniker. The touring squad featured elite players who would define Uganda's golden decade, including legendary defender Jimmy Kirunda and prolific forward Polly Ouma. During the tour, the team faced several German clubs, scoring 9 goals overall

  2. 1976

    Uganda CranesWith Uganda Cranes (National Team)

    Uganda Beat Zambia to Claim the 1976 CECAFA Crown

    Uganda Cranes won the 1976 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup on 14 November, defeating Zambia 2–0 at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. Captained by Jimmy Kirunda and coached by Peter Okee, Uganda secured the trophy with second-half goals from Timothy Ayiekoh and Abdullah Nasur. The triumph reversed Uganda’s 3–2 defeat to Zambia in the group stage. After beating Somalia and hosts Zanzibar, the Cranes advanced to the semi-finals, where Nasur scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Malawi. In the final, Ayiekoh opened the scoring in the 60th minute before Nasur added the second in the 76th. Paul Ssali kept goal as Uganda held Zambia scoreless to complete the victory. The title became a defining achievement of Uganda’s Golden Generation. The Cranes retained the regional crown in 1977 and went on to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final in 1978.

  3. 1977

    Uganda CranesWith Express FC (Mukwano Gw'abangi)

    The Suicidal Victory: The 1977 Express FC Ban

    In a crucial and highly charged 1977 league match, Express FC defeated the military side Simba FC 2–0. The "suicidal" goals were scored by Edward Ssemanda and Richard Kembo. Following his side's defeat, the Governor of the Central Province, Col. Abdallah Nasur, banned Express FC for life, alleging involvement in anti-government activities. This ban forced the club's administration and players into exile, causing them to turn their resources toward engineering their youth side, the Nakivubo Boys. This youth side was developed into a new footballing force, eventually changing its name to Sports Club Villa. The regime's ban was finally lifted in 1979 after the fall of Idi Amin, allowing Express to return to the top flight for the 1980 season.

  4. 1978

    Uganda CranesWith Uganda Cranes (National Team)

    Uganda Cranes Reach the 1978 AFCON Final

    Uganda Cranes finished runners-up at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations after facing hosts Ghana in the final at Accra Sports Stadium on 16 March. Led by captain Jimmy Kirunda and coach Peter Okee, the side reached a continental final that became a defining achievement of Uganda’s Golden Generation. The Cranes progressed from their group in Kumasi with victories over Congo, 3–1, and defending champions Morocco, 3–0, despite a 3–1 defeat to Tunisia. On 14 March, goals from Abbey Nasur and Phillip Omondi secured a 2–1 semi-final victory over Nigeria and Uganda’s place in the final. Ghana won the final 2–0, with Opoku Afriyie scoring both goals. Omondi finished the tournament with three goals, sharing the top scorer honours with Afriyie and Nigeria’s Segun Odegbami. Omondi and midfielder Moses Nsereko were also named in the team of the tournament. The campaign brought together regional success, individual brilliance and national pride, securing the 1978 side’s place among the most celebrated teams in Uganda’s football history.

  5. 1978

    Club footballWith KCC FC (KCCA)

    KCC Win Uganda’s First CECAFA Club Title

    Kampala City Council FC, now known as KCCA FC, became the first Ugandan club to win the CECAFA Club Championship in 1978. Playing in a tournament hosted in Kampala, KCC defeated Tanzania’s Simba SC 3–2 on penalties after the final ended goalless following extra time. KCC reached the knockout stage unbeaten, drawing 2–2 with Somalia’s Horseed and defeating Zanzibar’s KMKM 2–1 in the group stage. A convincing 3–0 semi-final victory over Kenya’s Luo Union then secured their place in the final. Led by coach Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and captain Sam Musenze, KCC prevailed in the deciding shoot-out through successful penalties from Moses Sentamu, Phillip Omondi and Tom Lwanga. Musenze received the trophy from President Idi Amin. The triumph added a regional club crown to the achievements of a generation whose players also helped Uganda reach the Africa Cup of Nations final in Ghana that year.

Honours

Medals and milestones

  • 1976: Selected for Uganda Cranes at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ethiopia
  • 1976 AFCON: Appeared against Egypt and Guinea
  • Early–mid 1980s: Moved into coaching with Gomba Motors
  • Active within Uganda's former international football community

Played alongside

In the same dressing rooms

Teammates

Shared a dressing room

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