Uganda Premier League
Onduparaka FC vs Express FC
Green Light Stadium, Arua
Friday, 07-02-2020 @4pm
Wasswa Bbosa will take charge of Express FC for the first time when they take on Onduparaka FC at the Green Light Stadium in Arua on Friday afternoon.
Bbosa was named head coach on Tuesday, replacing the fired George Ssemwogerere.
This is the third spell at Express FC for the gaffer having initially been an assistant to Sam Simbwa as the Red Eagles won their last league title in 2012/13 and then as head coach between 2014 and 2016.
It is a move that was hugely welcomed by the Red Eagles faithful who thought Ssemwogerere was not doing well enough.
Bbosa will head into Friday’s game with his side third from bottom and desperate for points.
Express have also lost both of their last two games against SC Villa and Mbarara City FC (both 1-0).
“I know how big a task this is to try and ensure Express climbs steadily up the table and not to have to think about relegation, said Bbosa ahead of the game.
“Our first assignment is to try and win against a time we have never defeated in history and to complicate matters more, they will be at home.
“However, we are Express and after spending a few days with the boys, i am sure we will get the job done.”
Express will be without first choice goalkeeper Mathais Muwanga who injured his finger on Wednesday and was not part of the team that travelled for Arua. Muwanga’s absence means Tony Kyamira will start in goal. Hamdan Nsubuga and Cyrus Kibande are the other notable absentees for the Red Eagles.
For Onduparaka, they will also be wanting to return to winning ways having lost 1-0 to Vipers SC in their latest fixture.
The Caterpillars have now lost twice in five second round games and will surely feel their adventures are not up to standards so far.
They have had issues concerning the playing staff as many have moved for ‘greener pastures’ since the turn of the year.
Ceaser Ochuti is understood to have been the latest to move and is believed to have joined Dove All Stars. He joins the likes of Gadafi Wahab, Geriga Atendele and Faizul Anim who all joined Wakiso Giants FC.
Match Facts
This will be the 8th meeting between Onduparaka FC and Express FC.
In the previous meetings, Onduparaka have never lost to Express, winning four and drawing the other three.
However, only one of those victories has come in Arua, in the 2-1 victory back in May 2017.
Last season, Onduparaka took four points off Express including one in the reverse fixture that ended 0-0.
The first meeting between the two sides this season ended in a 2-0 win for the Caterpillars.
Onduparaka heads into the game having won just two of their last five league games (D1 L2).
At home, the Caterpillars have lost just one of their last seven games (W3 D3).
For Express, they have won just one of their last five games, losing all the other four.
Away from home, the Red Eagles have lost all their last three games, conceding 9 goals in the process whilst scoring just one.
The other games to be played on Friday
-Mbarara City FC vs Express FC @4:30pm
