Tuesday, September 10
*Mbarara City Vs Express FC – 4PM
*Tooro United Vs Maroons – 4:30PM
*SC Villa Vs Police FC – 4:30PM
Coach George Ssimwogerere has managed just five wins from 16 league games since he took charge of his first Express FC game on February 10 this year against BUL FC.
The pressure is mounting for the coach each going day, the club fans and stakeholders continue to be restless as the results go the opposite way.
Three games into the season, the club is already in the drop zone. It might be too early to call, but this promises to be a long campaign for the Red Eagles.
Sim, as popularly known, dug a big pit for himself when he let almost all the club players leave including John Revita, Michael Birungi, Badru Nsubuga and Eric Kambala among others.
Yet his signings have failed to live as advertised, per say. The club has lost twice, with a draw coming against Bright Stars.
The team lost 2-0 to Onduparaka FC on Saturday with Gibson Adinho and Caesar Okhuti on target, what gave Express fans a big clue of what’s to come.
“My boys are playing good football,” claimed Sim after the 2-0 loss at Wankulukuku. “I have young and new boys and we are still looking for combinations.”
Sim was booed off after the loss at Wankulukuku, but the coach claims that he has seen enough and can withstand such pressure.
“I have been in this situation for a long time, there is nothing to worry about. If am here or not, I will still be myself.
“It will take sometime for us (Express FC) to get what we want. I have not been here for the last 12 years and there has not been good results so we have to be patient.”
To beat Mbarara City, Sim will have to do it without right back Emmanuel Baffoe who has been ruled out for the three weeks after an injury on his right knees in Onduparaka loss.
Joshua Adea is expected to pave way for Tony Kyamera in goal. The former Buddo SS student got injured in the opener against BUL FC at Njeru but has been passed fit to start after making the bench on Saturday.
Mbarara Target To Bounce Back
Mbarara beat Proline FC 3-0 at Luzira in their league opener but a defeat and draw to SC Villa and Police FC respectively have left a lot to be desired.
Mbarara will look to benefit from Express’ poor situation to record their second victory.
Coach Brian Ssenyondo rued missed chances against Police and will hope that the forwards – Paul Mucureezi, Brian Aheebwa, Jude Ssemugabi and Wol Makueth – are at their best.
This will be the fifth league meeting between Express and the Ankole Lions – Mbarara has lost once, won twice and drawn as many.
David Ndihabwe scored the only goal as Express won in the 2017/18 season, their only victory against Mbarara.
Last season, Karim Ndugwa, Ivan Eyam and Hilary Mukundane scored for Mbarara while Mubarak Nsubuga’s goal proved to be a consolation for the visitors at Kavumba Recreation centre. The second leg at Wankulukuku ended goalless.
Head To Head
2018/19
Express FC 0-0 Mbarara City
Mbarara City 3-1 Express FC
2017/18
Express FC 1-0 Mbarara City
Mbarara City 1-0 Express FC
