Express FC has endured a trying period in the last few seasons.
From narrowly escaping relegation in the 2017/18 season to finishing 9th last campaign, the Red Eagles are struggling to ensure progress in terms of results on the pitch.
In February, they were forced to part ways with club legend George Ssemwogerere, replacing him with Wasswa Bbosa.
Bbosa initially signed a short term deal that expired a few days ago. Upon it’s expiration, he has now been rewarded with a three-year contract that will see him as the head coach of Express FC until 2023.
This will be Bbosa’s third fulltime-tenure at the Red Eagles, having previously worked as an assistant coach at the club before also taking over as the manager between 2016 and 2018.
In a phone interview with PML Daily, Bbosa spoke about his targets in the three years.
“First of all, I am extremely happy that I have been entrusted with the task to take Express FC forward, noted Bbosa.
“It is motivating to know that when I was away, they realized that I was one of the people who could come back and help the club move forward and that is what I am intent on doing. Our long term goal is to be able to compete season in and out unlike in the recent past when Express was just one of the participants.
“When i first came back early this year, I realized Express had taken several steps backwards.
“My task last season was to try and ensure we move as far away from the relegation zone as possible and by the time the season ended, we were 9th, something that i will take pride in although I still think we could have done better.”
Bbosa took over with Express FC in 13th and after a few weeks, he had led them into 9th spot.
The five games in which he was in charge, the Red Eagles managed to accumulate an impressive 10 out of a possible 15 points, winning three, drawing one and losing just once.
Taking the team back to where it once was, competing for and winning titles, will be one hell of a task but Bbosa already has a plan in place.
“We have already started on trying to build a competing squad.
“We want to sign at least 10 players as we realized the team that we found here can not compete ably.
“As we try to sign those players we need, we have also been forced to let go of some that we found here. I gave everyone a chance during my short time here last season but some failed to prove their worth so i am forced to push them out.”
It is understood the list of departing players will be announced on Thursday, June 4.
Godfrey Lwesibawa, Charles Musiige and John Byamukama are some of the players expected to be arriving soon.
As the recruitment continues, emphasis has also been put on ensuring the Red Eagles have a decent junior side.
“We will also want to put emphasis on developing our youth team so as the team can sustain it’s self over a period of time, Bbosa continued.
“I want to ensure that in future, we do not have to only buy players but promote some from the youth set-up.
“It is an initiative that will start as soon as possible and hopefully, it will bare fruits eventually.”
On the targets within the three years, Bbosa had this to say.
“Next season, we want to finish in the top four. From there, our target is to win the cup in my second year and then triumph in the league come 2023.”
With now the finances sorted at the club and with a coach of Bbosa’s caliber at Express’s disposal, the Red Eagles have a right to dream.
However, KCCA FC and Vipers SC have developed a tradition of being the best in the country, in the last few years, and it will take some consistency on and off the pitch to knock them of the patch.
