StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Wednesday, 31-10-2018
– Express FC 2-0 Tooro United
– KCCA FC 0-0 Mbarara City
KAMPALA – Express FC continued their surge up the table with a 2-0 victory over Tooro United on Wednesday at Wankulukuku.
This was the Red Eagles first home triumph of the season having fired blacks and drawn their initial two fixtures against URA and Bul.
Congolese export, Eric Kambale and Ibrahim Kayiwa scored the two decisive strikes in the first half in front of a fairly good crowd.
Going into the game, Express FC head coach, Kefa Kisala made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 against Bul FC last time out with Kambale and Isaac Mutanga replacing Kakeeto Shafic and Nsubuga Mubarak respectively.
From the initial whistle, the Red Eagles looked in total control of proceedings, dominating possession and creating several goal scoring opportunities.
With in four minutes, Wankulukuku went into a frenzy as Kambale made it 1-0 when he headed in Michael Birungi’s inch-perfect cross.
Birungi could have doubled Express’s lead lead when he run free on goal but could not beat Meddie Kibirige in Tooro’s goal as his weak effort was comfortably saved.
Kibirige was all the stood between Express and a two goal caution when he moments later denied Tony Odur from close range.
However, the custodian could not be three times lucky as he was beat by a calm finish by Ibrahim Kayiwa off Tony Odur’s assist for the hosts to go two up before half time.
Odur, later on nearly put the score beyond Tooro’s reach but his effort from Birungi’s delivery was off the target before referee Opio Deo sent the teams to restrooms.
Just a few minutes into the second half, Odur left Kibirige crawling on the floor but his effort flew agonizingly over.
Soana who looked blunt going forward came close to pulling a goal back but Baker Buyala’s header from Allan Kayiwa’s cross was off target.
The victory takes Express FC into 6th on the log with eight points from five games while Tooro United slip into 12th.
At Lugogo, KCCA FC passed up the opportunity to go top of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League when they drew 0-0 at home to Mbarara City.
KCCA who have not beaten Mbarara in any of their last three attempts were on the back foot for most of the first half as the visitors imposed them selves on them.
However, the Ankole Lions wasted chance after chance and enabled Mike Mutebi’s side to go into half time level.
At the start of the second half, Mutebi made the first change of the game with Allan Kyambadde replacing Jackson Nunda and the hosts started to look more like their usual selves.
Kyambadde forced a fantastic save from man of the match Ali Kimera who also denied Allan Okello twice and Patrick Kaddu.
Livingstone Mbabazi’s side also got opportunities to win the game but could not beat Charles Lukwago in the Kasasiro Boys’ goal.
In additional time, Paul Mucureezi was tripped by Hassan Jurua who had ealier been booked and the Garbage Collector was sent off in the process.
The draw leaves KCCA on 11 points, two points behind leaders Vipers whom they face next.
For Mbarara, they now move to 8th on the log with seven points from their first five games.