Uganda Premier League
Busoga United FC vs Express FC
Mighty Arena, Jinja
Friday, 10-01-2020
JINJA – Express FC will be hoping they can finally put to bed their woes away to Jinja-based sides when they face Busoga United FC at the Mighty Arena on Friday afternoon.
The Red Eagles have been horrible when ever they are away to sides from the East and will be praying the trend does not continue.
George Ssemwogerere’s side have lost all their last five visits to Jinja with their last victory coming at now defunct Sadolin FC in 2017.
In what is their opening second round fixture, Express know that they need to avoid a loss in order to try and build momentum so as not to be dragged into the relegation battle later.
At the end of the first round, they were 11th, just six points off the drop zone.
There has been no transfer activity at Wankulukuku so far but the good news is that they have held onto their most important players including captain Disan Ggaliwango.
The front three of Ggaliwango, Frank Kalanda and Frank Ssenyondo have bailed Express out on several occasions and the Red Eagles will be hoping the trio continues from where they left off in the first round.
Speaking ahead of the game, Ssemwogerere said his team is ready and will be out to avoid past mistakes.
“We are very ready, my team is set and their morale is high, noted the gaffer.
“We have tried to train well and correct our previous mistakes to avoid repeating them.”
Express will have goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga returning to the team after a long spell out. He missed the entire first round due to a back injury and is in line for a first appearance of the season. Hamdan Nsubuga is also available after missing the end of the first round. Ivan Ocholit, Cyrus Kibande, Martin Kizza and Joshua Ssetambule are all out with respective injuries.
For Busoga, they will be without star-player Joel Madondo who is in Morocco to try and seal a move to Raja Casablanca.
Madondo will be a huge miss for the Students as he has been their best players in the last two years or so.
Even without Madondo, Busoga will be confident they can get the better of a side that they have defeated in three of their last four meetings.
Before a kick of the ball on Friday, the hosts sit 10th with 18 points from 15 first round games.
Match Facts
This will be the 8th meeting between the two sides since 2016.
In the past 7 meetings, Busoga have won three, Express two while the other two have ended in draws.
Express have only won once in their three visits to Busoga, losing the other two.
Busoga stunned Express 2-1 in the first meeting this campaign while the reverse fixture last season also saw the Students win 1-0.
Going into the game, Busoga have now won in any of their last five games (D2 L3).
At home, they have won just one of their past five games (D2 L2).
For Express, they have lost just one of their past five games (W2 D2).
Away from home, the Red Eagles have also been impressive lately, losing just one of their past five games (W3 D1).
The other games on Friday @4:30pm
-Vipers SC vs Kyetume FC
-Bright Stars FC vs BUL FC
-Maroons FC vs Proline FC
