Bright Stars, Express in Stanbic Cup stalemate

Kampala. Discipline and accountability are some of the aspects Express FC chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka vowed to improve at the club in his first year in charge. But as the first season comes to a close, plenty of work remains in regard to fans’ hooliganism. This is after a section of the club fans threw stones onto the pitch and beat up Bright Stars in their Stanbic Uganda Cup semifinal first leg in Mwererwe yesterday.
And it was difficult to understand their source of frustration as referee Ashadu Ssemere had only moments earlier rightly shown a straight red card to Bright Stars defender Andrew Kaggwa for a nasty challenge on Express defender Arthur Kiggundu.

The Bright Stars right back planted his studs just below Kiggundu’s knee and as the latter received treatment, fans threw stones in Kaggwa’s direction as he attempted to leave the pitch in an eight-minute break midway into the second half.
A Bright Stars fan then bore the brunt of their anger before Police intervened and were again called into action at the final whistle to provide security to the match officials and Kaggwa.

The latter eventually used a footpath near the ground to get to the team bus. The events overshadowed a lively second half in which Michael Birungi headed Express into the lead four minutes after restart before Nelson Ssenkatuka equalized two minutes later from the penalty spot.
This was after Ssemere adjudged Shafik Kakeeto to have deliberately handled the ball in the box much to Express fans’ anger.
The meeting was the first of three between the two teams with a league game at Wankulukuku coming up on Wednesday while the semifinal return leg is set for May 09.

Stanbic Uganda cup
Yesterday: Bright Stars 1-1 Express
PLAYING TODAY, 3:00 P.M.
Kyetume vs Proline.
Nakisunga Ssaza Grounds, Mukono

[email protected]