Federation of Uganda Football Association has finally decided on the fate of the 2020/21
Uganda Premier League.
FUFA has ended the season and declared Express FC as the champions, with four matchdays still on the card.
“Epress FC who were top of the table declared Champions of the 2020/21 Uganda Premier League,” reads a statement from the Federation.
Kyetume FC join already relegated MYDA FC and Kitara as the teams that will play in StarTimes FUFA Big League next season.
The Red Eagles were top of the league table when the season was halted after Government put a ban on Sports due to a surge in Covid19 cases.
The new anti-coronavirus measures that include a ban on public transport and gatherings had put restart of competitions unrealistic.
FUFA had asked Government for two weeks to conclude the season, but the plea has been denied by look of the matter.
The StarTimes Ugandan Premier League had already played over 86% of games and had thus passed the 75 per cent threshold in Article 18 of FUFA’s competition rules.
FUFA Article 18 of Competition rules:
Where the league format due to circumstances of force majeure fails to be completed within the season, the
league winner shall be determined as follows:
1) Before each and every Club has completed its first round fixture the league shall be declared null and
void.
2) Where all the Clubs in each group have completed the first round fixture but less than 75% league games in either group have been played, the table standings at the end of the first round shall be considered as the final table standing of the league for the respective group/competition.
3) Where 75% or more league games in either group have been played, the following formula shall be used by TOC to determine the table positions for the respective group: Total number of points earned from the number of games played multiplied by the total number of games supposed to be played divided by the number of games played.
Like it was last season when Vipers were awarded the title, the decision has been inevitable this season as well.
Express FC – Deserved Champions
Express FC were top of the table with 58 points, one and two points above URA and Vipers who are second and third respectively.
The Red Eagles have been excellent throughout despite starting the campaign as outsiders, with KCCA and Vipers as favourites.
Organisation at the front office, thanks to the appointment of Isaac Mwesigwa as the new CEO partly contributed to instant success.
They beat rivals URA FC home and away and picked four points against Vipers including a rare win at Kitende.
Coach Wasswa Bbosa turned everything into gold right from the transfer season to his tactical approach to the games.
The defence, manned by Enock Walusimbi and Murushid Juuko has been solid but much credit will go to striker Eric Kambale who has been flawless for a side that lost George Ssenkaaba midway through the season.
Declaring Express FC champions will not settle well with title competitors URA and Vipers who could have caught up with the Wankululuku based side, with four matches to go.
However, the return to play looked unrealistic and Vipers President Lawrence Mulindwa called on FUFA on Monday to end the season.
Express, just like URA and Vipers, had played 26 games. The Red Eagles menu still had Wakiso Giants (A), MYDA (H), BUL (H) and KCCA (A).
This, is Express FC’s seventh league title, their first since 2011. Founded in 1957, the title sees Express book a ticket to CAF Champions League.
