Express look to benefits of extended break
Bokota Labama (left) and Nicholas Kagaba of URA celebrate after scoring against UPDF during the Azam Uganda Premier League match last month. URA visit struggling Express today. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
KAMPALA- Express, like many other community owned clubs in the Azam Uganda Premier League, are often rightly critical of the extended dormancy that comes with the international break.
Many including Proline and SC Villa have voiced their opinions about costs incurred therein. But having played their last game, a 2-0 win over Maroons close to two weeks ago, this break could be a blessing in disguise for the team according to assistant captain Steven Luswata.
The six-time league champions host URA at Wankulukuku in one of three games on card as the league resumes following a two week lull.
“We are definitely in better shape physically than we are two weeks ago,” admitted Luswata who has witnessed several disorderly offseason preparations.
Having been one of a handful of players to remain at the club, Luswata has arguably been one of the club’s best performers thus far as many of his colleagues appeared short on fitness.
Up to 22 players only got confirmation of their status a day to the start of the league as the club unveiled their season squad on September 11.
They have since suffered two defeats before claiming their first win against Maroons. They will be up against a URA team just above them with five points in what has been another slow start for the Ibrahim Kirya coached side.
The tax collectors matched champions KCCA in their previous game but were unable to create many goal scoring opportunities, an issue along with their five points tally from four games that worries Kirya.
“It is worrying that we do not have as many points as we would have wanted. We are too slow when we reach the opposition half,” URA coach Ibrahim Kirya lamented.
In Mwererwe, Bright Stars captain Nelson Senkatuka will want to channel his anger at Maroons having had what should be a league leading third goal of the season not credited to his name.
The Fred Kajoba coached side are sixth having won once and drawn thrice and play a Maroons side that is bottom and the only team without a win after four matchdays.
AUPL FIXTURES TODAY
Express vs. URA
Wankulukuku Stadium (Live on Azam TV)
Bright Stars vs. Maroons
Champions Stadium, Mwererwe 4:30pm
Masavu vs. Kirinya Jinja
Fisheries Institute Entebbe 4:30pm
LEAGUE SCORERS SO FAR
Ceasar Okhuti 2 (ONDUPARAKA)
Muzamir Mutyaba 2 (KCCA)
Norman Ogik 2 (POLICE)
Ezekiel Katende 2 (UPDF)
Nelson Senkatuka 2 (BRIGHT STARS)
Milton Karisa 2 (Vipers)
Vitalis Tabu 1 (SC VILLA)
Fred Okot 1 (URA)
Bokota Labama 1 (URA)
Walter Rubankene 1 (UPDF)
Osman Wejjuli 1 (SOANA)
Joshua Kawadwa 1 (BRIGHT STARS)
Fahad Bayo 1 (PROLINE)
Alfred Leku 1 (ONDUPARAKA)
