Top 5 Ugandan Goalkeepers Of All Time

Ace Football lists and profiles the five greatest Ugandan goalkeepers throughout football history.

Goalkeepers are the under-loved and forgotten heroes of football. These players are the last line of defense. More often than not, they are the fine line between success and failure.

One must have great agility, quick reactions, and a high level of concentration to excel in the role.

So, out of all the goalies from Uganda, who would take your pick as the best of the best? Ace Football has a go by listing the five greatest Ugandan goalkeepers of all time.

5. Ali Sendegeya

What Ali Sendegeya lacked in silverware, he more than made up for in talent.

The goalkeeper was renowned for his sharp reflexes and fine positional sense. He never won trophies at club level, but did help the national side win the CECAFA title in 1976. He also represented the Cranes in the 1974 and 1976 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, becoming a fully-fledged member of the team at just 18 years of age.

At club level, Sendegeya played for the likes of Express FC and Uganda Motors FC during a 17-year career.

4. John Agadi

‘The Cat’ burst onto the scene in the mid-1950s at Buganda in the regional Aspro Cup and Bitumastic in the league. His talent was obvious from the start. In no time at all, he became Uganda’s No.1 and even captained the Cranes during a glorious seven-year international career from 1957 to 1964.

Agadi also proved to be a tough nut to crack in penalties, once remarking in an interview: “I don’t remember ever diving the wrong way.”

The former Bitumastic star is credited for developing the diving style that has become a trait amongst Ugandan goalkeepers. He even has a doctorate in education from Makerere University and a master’s degree from Columbia University in the United States of America.

3. Paul Ssali ‘Gogolimbo’

Paul Ssali is widely regarded as one of the greatest Ugandan goalkeepers of all time. The Bunamwaya-born star won plaudits for his acrobatic saves and for being excellent at stopping penalties. He won the Ugandan Cup and Premier League in East Africa. Six titles came in his way overall at Simba and KCC.

But Ssali’s true legacy lies with the national team. The keeper got his big break in the 1976 CECAFA Cup when Cranes No.1 George Mukasa broke a finger in the opening game. He took over the goalkeeping duties, helped Uganda win the tournament, and never looked back.

‘Gogolimbo’ later helped Uganda retain the CECAFA Cup title a year later, before starring in goal again as the Cranes reached the 1978 AFCON final for the first and only time so far.

They may have lost 2-0 to hosts Ghana in the final, but that runner-up finish remains the East African’s best result in AFCON to date.

2. Joseph Masajjage

The three-time Uganda Footballer of the Year was famed for his cool demeanor, acrobatic saves, ability to read the game, and bravery.

Joseph Masajjage was a tough goalie to beat at his peak. In fact, many regarded him as one of the greatest African goalkeepers and the undisputed Uganda No.1 from 1968 to 1974.

The former Express star represented the Cranes at the 1968 and 1974 AFCON competitions. He enjoyed club success in 1974 and 1975 by winning the league, before hanging up his gloves two years later. He passed away in June 1996.

1. Denis Onyango

Taking top spot in our list of the greatest Ugandan goalkeepers is Denis Onyango. The 36-year-old is renowned for his consistency, composure, excellent reflexes, penalty-saving skills, and ability in one-on-one situations.

Onyango has spent most of his career in South Africa, winning eight PSL titles at SuperSport United and his current side Mamelodi Sundowns. He has even won the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup with the latter.

The 2015/16 PSL Goalkeeper of the Season, meanwhile, won 82 caps for Uganda from 2005 until 2021. He represented the Cranes in two AFCON competitions and wore the captain’s armband.

Winning the 2016 African-based Player of the Year and ranking as the IFFHS’ 10th best goalkeeper in the same year were Onyango’s crowning moments.