Uganda Premier League
Mbarara City 2-3 Express FC
Luzira Prisons Grounds, Luzira
Tuesday, 10-09-2019
Summer signing Daniel Shabena scored in the last minute of normal time to ensure Express FC register a first victory of the season thanks to a 3-2 victory away to Mbarara City FC on Tuesday.
The former Bul FC midfielder pounced after Muhammad Ssekeba’s spilled Disan Galiwango’s low shot, before rounding the custodian and slotting into an empty net.
Express who came into the game having registered just a single point from their first three games, struggled in the early exchanges as Mbarara City searched for an opener.
The Red Eagles fears were turned into reality on 42 minutes as they fell behind. Mbarara City’s captain Hilary Mukundane blasted a free-kick past Joshua Adea to put the home side one up.
However, Mbarara’s advantage lasted just two minutes with Hamdan Nsubuga pouncing onto a loose ball in the area before slotting in the equalizer.
The second half was end to end and four minutes past the hour mark, Express turned the game on its head. Frank Kalanda met a Disan Galiwango cross which had beaten Ssekeba and tapped into an unguarded net.
Eight minutes from time, substitute Jude Ssemugabi who had earlier replaced Solomon Okwalinga thought he had done enough to earn the home side a point, firing in Mbarara’s second.
However, Shabena had other ideas as his he scored his first goal for the Red Eagles and in the process earned them vital three points.
The Win is Express’s first of the season and sees them move onto four points for the season, following a match-day two draw at home to Bright Stars.
For Mbarara City, this is their second loss of the season, having earlier lost to SC Villa. They also have four points following a win and a draw against Proline and Police respectively.
Express will face rivals SC Villa in their next match on Friday Wankulukuku while Mbarara will face Vipers SC.
Starting teams
Mbarara FC
Ssekeba Mohammed, Byekwaso Zaidi, Aheebwa Jasper, Mukundane Hilary, Mucureezi Paul, Ahebwa Brian, Eyamu Ivan, Oriti Ibrahim, Otti Bernard, Balenge Pistis.
Express FC
Adea Joshua Lawrence Kigonya, Andrew Kiwanuka, Cyrus Kibande, Martin Kizza, Dennis Sserukwaya, Hamdan Nsubuga, Daniel Shaben, Frank Ssenyondo, Disan Galiwongo.
