Uganda Premier League
Express FC vs URA FC
Betway Mutessa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
Tuesday, 25-02-2020 @4pm
Express FC will be hoping to continue their attempts to fend off relegation fears when they take on URA FC at Mutessa II Stadium in Wankulukuku on Tuesday afternoon.
This will be their maiden game in Wankulukuku this year after getting the clearance to return to their ‘home’, last week.
Eversince Wasswa Bbosa was appointed head coach at the start of the month (February), the Red Eagles have been in good form in the league.
In the three fixtures he has been in-charge, Bbosa has mastermind two victories and a draw, defeating both Onduparaka and Tooro United before picking an unlikely 1-1 draw away to KCCA FC last Saturday.
With the results going their way recently, the Red Eagles are gunning for more points.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s encounter, Bbosa appreciates the efforts of his players and says the team is eyeing victory.
“The players are good and will surely improve if they continue listening to instructions, noted Bbosa.
“We will play without our fans but that should not be a problem after all we are returning to our home and need to win the game.
“URA FC have been in good form of late but my players are determined to take all three points from the contest.”
Express FC will welcome back defensive midfielder Lawrence Kigonya who was suspended for the draw away to KCCA FC on Saturday. Kigonya missed the game following a recent sending off in the 1-0 victory over Onduparaka FC.
Kigonya’s return to the team is a major boost for Wasswa Bbosa’s side who were forced to field defender Cyrus Kibande in defensive midfielder on Saturday.
Despite Kibande’s good showing, Kigonya who has been a key figure in the holding role under both George Ssemwogerere and Bbosa’s sides is expected to regain his start slot.
Sitting just six points away from the drop zone, the Red know that they still need to accumulate as many points as possible as the sides beneath them are also winning.
For URA FC, they have indeed been in good form of late and will be confident of maintaining it.
Fresh from a 3-1 thumping of leaders Vipers SC, the Tax Collectors feel they can beat anyone at the moment.
A single loss in their last 14 outings in all competitions has led to a turn around in a season that threatened to be extremely disappointing at the start.
With the CHAN Championships around the corner, several of Sam Simbwa’s players have stepped up form with hope of earning a call-up to the national side.
Said Kyeyune who was viewed by many as a wasted talent before, has been immense in the last few months.
The attacking midfielder can not stop scoring at the moment and was at it again as he opened the scoring against Vipers last Friday.
Add Cromwell Rwothomio, Michael Birungi and Shafik Kagimu to Kyeyune and you have a quartet of in-form players that will ask several questions of the Express resurgence.
The Tax Collectors start the day in 4th with 37 points, just 3 behind third-placed SC Villa.
Match Facts
This will be the 20th meeting between the two sides since September 2010.
In the past 19 meetings, Express has won just 2, URA 7 with the other 10 all ending in draws.
URA heads into the game on a four match unbeaten run against Express, winning once and drawing the other three.
Last season, the Tax Collectors took four points off Express including a 1-1 draw at Wankulukuku between the two sides.
Their first meeting this season ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Going into the game, Express have won three of their past six league games (D1 L2).
At home, the Red Eagles have won two of their past five games (D1 L2).
For URA FC, they have lost just one of their past 12 league games (W6 D5).
However, away from home, Simbwa’s side have won just one of their last six fixtures (D3 L2).
The other games to be played on Tuesday @4:30pm
-Busoga United FC vs Wakiso Giants FC
-Proline FC vs Tooro United FC
