StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Express FC vs Bright Stars FC
Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
Wednesday, 01-05-2019 @4:30pm
WANKULUKUKU – Express FC and Bright Stars will clash four times this season after they were pitted to face off in the Semifinals of the Uganda Cup.
On Wednesday, the two sides meet in their 3rd meeting of the season in a game that carries less significance as compared to what will be their 4th (meeting), next week.
In the League in which both sides have been struggling, they pretty much have nothing to play for aside from formalities.
Express are currently occupying 11th spot on the table. With 36 points gathered so far, the Red Eagles already know that their status in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League is secured and it just a matter of finishing the season.
It is the same case for Bright Stars who sit two spots ahead of the Red Eagles. Despite going up to 12 games without victory at some point, Fred Kajoba’s side have nothing to play for in the league, either.
The main factor to look out for in Wednesday’s game, is how both sets of crowds will respond after the hooliganism exhibited in the Uganda Cup on Sunday.
With 14 minutes to play in the first leg draw at Mwerere three days ago, Andrew Kaggwa fouled Express defender Arthur Kiggundu and the former was sent off.
However, the Express fans were not satisfied with the punishment, resorting to throwing stones and anything else their hands could get close to, in the direction of Kaggwa, resulting into the game being halted for up to 10 minutes.
Kaggwa may be out due to suspension but the Red Eagles fans, like they usually do, may not be prepared to let it go anytime soon and it could be fair to suggest that the visitors’ fans should be worry of the backlash that may face them, before, during and after Wednesday’s game.
“We expect a hostile welcome at Wankulukuku but we trust the authorities will be in control of the situation, says Bright Stars assistant coach Paul Kiwanuka.
“To us, this is a game that we are to use as preparation for the Cup semifinal return leg.
“We hope to go there and do all we can to try and win.
Bright Stars are expected to hand a late fitness test to Brian Enzema who has been struggling with a knock. The Mwerere based side will be without Andrew Kaggwa who is suspended for the game.
For Express, expected to still be without Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye who went AWOL and is believed to have returned to Kitende. The Red Eagles are also sweating over the fitness of the trio of Eric Kambale, Tony Odur and Isaac Mutanga who are still nursing injuries.
Match Facts
This will be the 13th meeting between the two sides since 2013.
In the first 11, Express has triumphed on 3 occasions, losing twice and drawing the other six.
Both of the last two league games between these two sides, at Wankulukuku, have ended in 0-0 draws.
The first League games between the two sides ended 1-1 at Mwerere earlier in the season.
Bright Stars go into the game without victory away to Express in all of their first 5 visits to Wankulukuku (D3 L2).
Going into Wednesday’s game, Express have won only two of their last six games in all competitions (D2 L2).
However, the Red Eagles have not lost any of their last 7 homes games in all competitions (W4 D3). The last time Express lost a game at home dates back to February 4th, in the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Police FC.
For Bright Stars, they are currently in reasonable form going into the game as they have lost only one of their last 7 games in all competitions (W4 D2). The only loss in that period came in the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Kirinya JSS at the start of last month.
Away from home, the Stars have won three of their last four games (D0 L1).
The other games on Wednesday
-Police FC vs URA FC
-Paidha Black Angels FC vs Vipers SC
-Nyamityobora FC vs KCCA FC
-Ndejje University FC vs Onduparaka FC
