Uganda Premier League
Express FC 2-1 Bright Stars FC
Betway Mutessa II Stadium, Wankuluku
Saturday, 12-12-2020
Express FC registered their first victory of the season thanks to a 2-1 victory over Bright Stars FC on Saturday.
The Red Eagles who had drawn their opening game, took the day via Frank Kalanda and Eric Kambale early goals.
Augustine Kacancu scored what would prove to be Bright Stars’ consolation goal.
Victory takes Express to four points from two games following their 1-1 draw away to Onduparaka FC on match-day one.
For Bright Stars, they have just a single point from three games after losing to KCCA FC and drawing with URA FC.
Express brilliant start sees off Bright Stars
Express FC have been so public about building a team that will be able to challenge for honours on all fronts.
However, they got this campaign off to a slow start as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Onduparaka on match-day one.
In what was their opening home game, the onus was on them to win and kick-start what is promising to be a good season.
They started strongly, scoring twice in the opening seven minutes.
Inside four minutes, Kalanda pounced onto a lose ball after Charles Musiige saw his shot parried by Benson Wangima to put them 1-0 up.
Kambale them made it 2-0, poking home a Musiige low cross from the left.
They had chances to extend their lead in the first half but Kambale forced a smart save from Wangima, Abel Etrude volleyed just over while Kalanda headed onto the cross bar.
The fast started started slowing down after Musiige was taken off-injured and replaced by John Byamukama.
A combination of complacency and starting-to-tire legs, saw the Red Eagles allow Bright Stars to grow into the game and Kacancu pulled one back as Muwanga failed to stop a weak shot from just inside the area by the midfielder.
After the break, Express looked deprived of energy and struggled to kill of the game. The chances they created were few and far between.
Kambale saw a goal-bound effort deflected wide, Ssenkaba squandered the best chance of the second half as he volleyed over Kiggundu’s pin-point accurate free-kick.
Bright Stars slow start costs them dearly
Chasing a first victory of the campaign, Bright Stars shot themselves in the foot with a very slow start.
After going down 2-0 in the opening seven minutes, they kept on conceding chances that would have seen the game put to bed in the first half.
As luck would have it, they equalized through Kacancu’s poked shot after he was set up by the impressive Joseph Akandwanaho.
They struggled to equalize in the first half but came close through Ronald Ssempala’s header and Arthur Kiggundu’s nearly own-goal off Joseph Janjali’s cross.
With the game settled down in the second period, they never looked like finding a leveler despite dominating the ball.
Ssempala saw a penalty appeal waved away after he looked like he was bundled over by Murushid Juuko.
Marvin Joseph tried his luck from distance but his weak shot was comfortably collected by Muwanga.
In their next fixtures, Bright Stars are at home to MYDA FC next Tuesday while Express travel away to Mbarara City FC the following day.
How both teams started
Express FC
Mathiaus Muwanga (GK), Dennis Mubuya, Arthur Kiggundu, Juuko Murushid, Isa Lumu, Daniel Shabene, Abel Etrude, Charles Musiige, Frank Kalanda, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Erick Kambale.
Bright Stars FC
Benson Wangima, Andrew Kaggwa, Simon Ssemayange, Allan Katwe, Hamisi Gabitte, Joseph Janjali, Joseph Janjali, Marvin Joseph, Ronald Ssempala, Augustine Kacancu, Joseph Akandwanaho.
The other games played on Saturday
-Wakiso Giants FC 1-1 Vipers SC
-UPDF FC 2-1 BUL FC
-Kitara FC 0-5 Police FC
-URA FC 2-1 SC VILLA
