Uganda Premier League
SC Villa 1-0 Express FC
Bombo Barracks Stadium, Bombo
Wednesday, 29-01-2020
BOMBO – SC Villa completed a rare double over eternal rivals Express FC following a 1-0 victory at Bombo Barracks Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Having won the reverse fixture by the same score line earlier in the season, the Jogoos once again smiled to victory thanks to Emmanuel Wasswa’s second half strike.
The attacker was on hand to head home what would prove to be the winner on 69 minutes off Ibrahim Kibumba’s teasing cross.
This is Villa’s 9th victory of the season and 4th at home.
Edward Kaziba’s move back into 3rd with 30 points, 3 ahead of 4th placed Omduparaka FC.
Villa smiles to league double over the ‘enemy’
It is always rare in football to defeat an arch rival home and away in the same season.
However, Villa have now done exactly that over Express FC for the first time since the 2014/15 season.
Having defeated the Red Eagles 1-0 courtesy of an Ambrose Kirya strike at Wankulukuku in the first game, the Jogoos who have been in better form this season were confident of getting the job done on Wednesday.
It was not smooth sailing however as Express proved hard to break down in defence especially in the opening exchanges.
Ibrahim Kibumba forced a brilliant double save from Mathais Muwanga after the combination of David Kakeeto and Sadiq Ssekyembe made two successive errors while attempting to clear the ball.
Bashir Mutanda then pulled an effort across the goal-mouth off a Kibumba throw in.
After the break, Villa looked intent on finding the opener with several attacks on the visitor’s goal.
Mutanda saw an effort blocked by Lawrence Kigonya before Nicholas Kabonge forced a save from Muwanga off a speculative effort.
Moments later, Muwanga was once again called into action as Mutanda directed a Kibumba corner towards goal.
After consistent pressure, the goal would finally come 21 minutes from time.
Kibumba who looked lively all day down the right sent a cross into the area which was met by Wasswa who nodded it into the back of the net.
Late in the game, substitute Faizol Muwawu missed two chances to score Villa’s second.
First, he headed wide a Kibumba corner before heading over a well-weighted Derrick Ndahiro cross while unmarked in the area.
Express struggles continue
Express FC have started the second round in wanting form and that continued in Bombo.
Having won just one of their opening three games including a 6-1 loss away to Police, the Red Eagles were attempting to win a 7th game of the season but looked second best throughout the contest.
They failed to create anything meaningful in the opening 45 minutes and had to wait until the 47th minute for a first sight on goal.
Frank Ssenyondo teed up Frank Kalanda but the striker shot over.
After conceding, George Ssemwogerere’s side tried to mount a come back.
Daniel Shabena forced a finger tip save from Samuel Kivumbi off a looping effort before Safick Avemah saw a weak effort cleared off the line by Moses Kiggundu.
In the last minute of the game, Doka Mweru shot wide after he was teed up by a Disan Ggaliwango through in.
In the end, Express could not find a way back as they succumbed to 10th loss of the season.
The loss means Express remains in 12th with 21 points from 19 points.
In their next fixtures, SC Villa will be away to Police FC, a day after Express FC hosts Mbarara City FC.
How both teams started
SC Villa
Sam Kivumbii, Ibrahim Kibumba, Asuman Alishe, Derrick Ndahiro, Moses Kiggundu, Ambrose Kirya, Nicholas Kabonge, Amir Kakomo, David Owori, Emmanuel Wasswa Bashir Mutanda
Express FC
Mathias Muwanga (GK), Muhammad Yiga, Sadiq Ssekyembe, Martin Kizza, David Kakeeto, Daniel Shabena, Isaac Doka Mweru, Lawrence Kigonya, Dissan Galiwango, Frank Kalanda, Frank Ssenyondo
The other games played on Wednesday
-BUL FC 0-0 Wakiso Giants FC
-Bright Stars FC 2-1 Maroons FC
