Azam Uganda Premier League
Express FC vs KCCA FC
Mutessa II War Memorial Stadium, Wankulukuku
Tuesday, 01-05-2018 @04:00pm
KCCA FC will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 3-2 defeat to league leaders Vipers SC when they travel to Wankulukuku to face relegation threatened Express FC in the Azam Uganda Premier League on Tuesday.
The loss to the Venoms was the Kasasiro Boys’ first in 16 game across all competitions since the 2-1 defeat to Madagascan side CNaPS Sport in the CAF Champions League.
It was also the first time that Mike Mutebi’s men have tasted defeat in 13 league game, leaving them scrambling in third spot, four points behind Vipers with five games to play.
The Lugogo based will be welcoming back striker Derrick Nsibambi who has missed the last three games with injury but former Express play maker Ibrahim Saddam Juma is still out injured.
Against Express, they face a side that is desperate for points as they start the day in the relegation zone and time seems to be running out on them.
Shafic Bisaso’s Red Eagles took a point off Maroons in their last game and it will surely boost their confidence.
The Red Eagles will be without their suspended captain Steven Luswata but the rest of the squad is fit.
What the coaches are saying:
Shafic Bisaso, Express FC head coach.
“It is a big game for us because it comes with only five to play and we all know that time is running out.
“They are the best team in the country and we expect them to come all out as they are still targeting the league crown.
“My team is ready for them and we have prepared the best way we could possibly have.
“I am just praying that luck befalls us because against such side, you will need it (luck) at some point.
Mike Mutebi, KCCA FC head coach.
“The two most respected clubs in the country face off.
“It is a pity that the two are at opposite ends of the table but it also makes it more interesting because they (Express) are fighting for their lives and we are trying to win the league.
“It is going to be a very wonderful game of football because they are a team that likes to play which also applies to us.
“My only hope is that the referees are not intimidated in any way like they were last time out and let football on the pitch do the talking.
On how important the game is to KCCA, Mutebi had this to say.
“For us it is so important like i have said earlier, we are trying to defend the league crown and we need to win it to stay in touching distance with the teams above us.
“Secondly, it comes before our CAF Champions League game away to Township Rollers over the weekend so we need to build momentum going into the continental fixture.
Match Facts:
Head to Head.
Express has not defeated KCCA FC in the last seven games in all competitions (D3 L4).
However, KCCA has won only one of their last three visits to Wankulukuku, a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture last season.
The last time the Red Eagles won this fixture was in the league back in April 2014 when they triumphed 3-0 away from home.
KCCA has failed to score in only one of their last 13 meetings against Express, scoring 22 goals in that period including one in the first meeting this season which ended 1-0 at Lugogo.
Express FC.
Express start the day in 14th spot on the log with 26 points from 25 games and seat only a point away from safety.
The Red Eagles have won only three f their last 10 games in all competitions (D2 L5).
In their last 14 league games, Express has lost eight, drawn three and won only three, a run that has ensured that they stay in the drop zone.
Their home form has however improved of late, winning four of their last five games. The other was a 0-0 draw with Proline on 02-03-2017.
Against the top three this season, Express has lost all its thre fixtures, conceding four and scoring one goal.
KCCA FC.
KCCA FC have lost only one of their last 16 games in all competitions winning 10 including their penalty shootout victory over Soana in the Uganda Cup and drawing five.
In the league, the Lugogo based side have lost only two of their last 18 games (W11 D5).
Away from home, they have won only three game all season (D6 L3). The victories came against Bul, kirinya JSS and Soana.
Against the bottom three, KCCA has won only two of the four games they have faced them so far and are yet to register a win away to these sides (D1 L1).
The Other Games to be played today:
Proline vs Vipers SC @Lugogo, 04:30pm
Bright Stars vs UPDF FC @Matuga, 04:30pm
Bul Vs Maroons @Kakindu, 04:30pm
Police FC vs Soana @Namboole, 04:30pm
