Uganda Premier League
Express FC vs Bright Stars
Betway Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku
Tuesday, 03-09-2019 @4:30 pm
WANKULUKUKU – Express FC will take on Bright Stars at Wankulukuku on match-day two of the Uganda Premier League.
Both sides will be eager for points after losing their respective opening games last week.
The Red Eagles lost 0-1 away to Bul FC but will be confident they can get better of a side that they have never lost to at home in the league.
However, there is growing uncertainty over the future of head coach George Ssemwogerere with a huge section of Express fans thinking that he is not the right person for the role.
A loss to Bright Stars will only fuel the speculation that Simlala may be pushed out of Wankulukuku, a situation the Red Eagles will be looking to avoid.
“We played a good game against BUL but we were affected by the licensing issues, we conceded a goal in the 20th minute after Hamis Batega and Martin Kizza mistake and we failed to recover. Noted Ssemwogerere ahead of Tuesday’s game.
“We have played Bright Stars on various occasions, we are not sacred about them but we respect them. We want to create chances and score more goals come Tuesday.
“We want to use our home advantage very well and I believe we will win because we have held enough preparations.”
Express will be expected to start with third-choice custodian Joshua Adea in goal. Adea replaced Tony Kyamera who went off injured in the Bul game, joining Mathaius Muwanga on the sidelines. Idrisa Kaye who has been carrying an injury from preseason has recovered and will be subjected to a late fitness test. Vice-Captain Lawrance Kigonya who missed the first game due to licensing issues in available for selection.
For Bright Stars, they surrendered a 1-0 lead en route to losing 3-1 against Vipers in their opener last Friday.
It was a game in which they gave a good account of themselves and their head coach Medhi Kisseka was left impressed.
However, they know how vital it is not to lose their opening two games and will go into the game setting sight on a victory.
Captain Nelson Ssenkatuka is eyeing a move to Europe and is not expected to take part once again. Ssenkatuka also sat-out the loss to Vipers.
Match Facts
This will be the 15th meeting between Express and Bright Stars.
The first dates back to November 2013 when the two sides drew 0-0.
In the previous 14 meetings, Express have won 4, Bright Stars 3 with the other 7 all ending in draws.
Last season, the two sides faced off three times with each winning one and the other ending in a 1-1 draw.
Bright Stars victory in those three games came in the semi-final of the Uganda Cup, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time. The draw in 90 minutes means that the Stars have never defeated Express at Wankulukukuku in normal time.
This fixture has seen both sides score in each of the last five games, producing a total of 12 goals altogether.
The reverse fixture last season culminated in a 3-1 victory for Express FC.
The other games on Tuesday
-Vipers SC vs Tooro United @4pm
-Busoga United vs KCCA FC @4:30pm
-Wakiso Giants vs URA FC @4:30pm
-Maroons FC vs Kyetume FC @4:30pm