Azam Uganda Premier League
Express FC vs Mbarara City
Mutessa II War Memorial Stadium, Wankulukuku
Wednesday, 11-04-2017
Relegation-threatened giants Express FC will welcome Mbarara City at the Mutessa II War Memorial stadium knowing that any more slip ups would see them on the brink of a first ever relegation into Uganda’s second tier.
The Red Eagles are one of Ugandan football’s biggest sides having won six league titles and 10 Uganda cups but have been in the relegation zone for a while now, seating four points adrift of safety at the moment, losing 2-0 away to Kirinya JSS in their last game.
All has not been well in the Express camp building up to Wednesday’s encounter as two senoir players including club captain Steven Luswata were suspended indefinitely by the club a few days ago.
“We suspended two players by the names of Steven Luswata and Ronnie Kiseka, said club CEO Junju Hamza on Monday evening.
“The reason is about indiscipline and at this crucial time in the league, we can’t allow that.
Despite all that has been going on, everyone associated with the Red Eagles will hope that nothing deters them from a much needed three points against a side that seats only four points above them.
Mbarara have drawn their last two games against URA and KCCA in impressive fashion and will hope they can complete their first league double over a top tier side this season.
Match Facts:
This will be the second time these two clubs meet in the top tier in just under 10 years.
The first meeting between these two ended in a 1-0 win for Mbarara City at the Kakyeka stadium in Mbarara on 16-09-2017.
Express go into this fixture having won only two of their last 12 league fixtures(D2 L8). The two wins include a 2-0 vs Bul and 4-0 against Soana.
Express has won only four of their 11 league home games this season(D3 L4), coring 10 and conceding seven goals.
For Mbarara, They have won only one of their last nine games in all competitions. That win came by virtual of a a 3-0 result against Nabitende FC in the Uganda cup nearly two months ago.
In the league, The Ankole Lions have registered only one win in their last 11 games(D7 L3). The win came against Masavu in a 1-0 victory.
Sam Kawalya’s side is yet to win on the road this season, drawing seven of their 12 games away from home whilst losing the other five.
Mbarara has managed only two goals on the road this season, a league lowest and will have to improve on their record in front of goal if they are to achieve their first victory away from home.
