Friday, April 23 2021
*Vipers SC vs Express FC, St. Mary’s Stadium @4pm – Live On Sanyuka TV
*Kyetume FC vs Wakiso Giants FC, Nakisunga Ground @4pm
Team News
•Vipers captain Halid Lwaliwa has been away on compassionate leave but he is understood to have returned at it remains to be seen whether he is fit enough to feature.
•The Venoms will however continue to miss the duo of youngsters Musa Ssali and Ahmed Amayo who are both down with fever.
•Fabien Mutombora serves the third of his three-match suspension which was handed out after he punched team-mate Aziz Kayondo in the win over Busoga United a couple of weeks ago.
•The rest of the squad if reported to be fine and pushing for starts in their respective positions.
•Express will welcome back Godfrey Lwesibawa who missed the last game through suspension.
•Martin Kizza also missed the loss to Bright Stars and he is a fitness doubt for this one.
•Abel Etrude, Arthur Kiggundu and George Ssenkaba continue to miss out with respective injuries.
Probable Line Ups
Vipers SC – Bashir Ssekagya (GK), Paul Willa, Aziz Kayondo, Livingstone Mulondo, Disan Galiwango, Ibrahim Orit, Siraje Ssentamu, Paul Mucurezi, Yunus Sentamu, Karim Watambala, Ceaser Manzoki.
Express FC – Muwanga Mathias (GK), Walusimbi Enock, Lumu Isa, Juuko Murushid, Ssekyembe Sadiq, Kakooza Mahad Yaya, Daniel Shabena, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Musiige Charles, Kambale Eric, Godfrey Lwesibawa.
Preview – Vipers, Express Both Hoping To Return To Winning Ways
Earlier this week, the top three of Vipers SC, URA FC and Express FC all failed to win on the same match-day for the first time this season.
Vipers and Express will square off on Friday afternoon with both sides hoping to bounce back.
When the Venoms drew 0-0 at home to Wakiso Giants on Tuesday, they had failed to win a competitive game for the first time in six outings and it was the first time were dropping points at Kitende all campaign.
During that impressive run, Vipers had won all their opening nine home games.
It was a disappointing result for a side that is going toe-to-toe with URA in a race to be crowned champions of Uganda this season.
The game against Wakiso highlighted what has been the major problem for the Venoms since the season started.
Fred Kajoba’s side creates so many chances and more often than not, put away just a few.
Against the Purple Sharks, they created again but could not score and hence they drew 0-0.
When they come up against Express, they must know they are taking on a side that is capable of hurting them at the other end as the Red Eagles have scored in all but three of their 19 games so far.
However, the Red Eagles have also not been scoring enough as they have netted just twice in their last three league games.
Much of that has been due to the injury issues of their attackers.
When they lost 2-1 at Bright Stars on Tuesday, they were without three of their starters in attack as Godfrey Lwesibawa, Martin Kizza and George Ssenkaba were all out.
Against Vipers, there is no room for error for the Red Eagles who must know that a loss may as well see their dreams of winning a first league crown since 2012, fly out of the window.
Currently, Wasswa Bbosa’s side sit five points adrift of the leading duo of Vipers and URA.
Match Stats
This will be the meeting 21st between the two sides since October 2010.
In the previous 20 match-ups, Vipers have been dominant, winning 10 and drawing si whilst losing just twice.
The Venoms are currently on a healthy seven-game unbeaten run against the Red Eagles (W4 D3).
The last time Express beat Vipers was in a 1-0 away victory in September 2016.
Last season, Vipers beat Express 3-0 at Kitende before the second leg was cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
In their first meeting this campaign, the two sides drew 1-1 at Wankulukuku.
How To Watch
The game will be live on Sanyuka TV with the kick off at 4pm
