Wednesday, February 17
*Express 1-1 KCC FC
*Myda 2-3 URA SC
*Wakiso Giants 2-2 Villa
Charles Lwanga scored a late equaliser and KCCA held on to pick a point off rivals Express FC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
Express FC were on course to inflicting KCCA FC their fourth consecutive loss before Lwanga headed in from Hassan Musana’s corner in the 88th minute.
Eric Kambale had put the Red Eagles ahead at Betway Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku when he pounced home from Godfrey Lwesibawa’s freekick at the stroke of halftime to send the home fans into wild celebrations.
Abel Eturude almost grabbed a late winner for Express but his long range drive was blocked by Filbert Obenchan.
Express FC will rue missed opportunities with Kambale, Lwesibawa, George Ssenkaaba and Frank Kalanda all guilty of wasted opportunities.
The loss ends KCCA FC’s three game losing streak while Express FC remain unbeaten with 13 points.
Express remain fourth with 13 points as KCCA move to eighth with 10 points after Match-day seven.
Express Rue Missed Chances
Express will look back at the wasted chances in a game they should have won, and by a bigger margin.
They got off the blocks at the start and could have been two up inside the opening five minutes – Lwesibawa headed out Arthur Kiggundu cross and later, the winger later saw his corner skewed by Isa Lumu.
Ssenkaaba missed a couple, starting with a scissor that went over the bar and he also fired an inch wide after he beat Peter Magambo when he was put through by Kambale.
Ssenkaaba was taken off in the second half, and his successor Frank Kalanda failed to put away some, including looping over the bar with a keeper to beat.
Kalanda, earlier, forced Lukwago into a good save after beautiful one-two with Kambale.
Besides the wasted chances, Express bullied KCCA on the day and dominated the game throughout.
Kambale brought skill, composure and craft, Lwesibwa added athleticism while Ssenkaaba and his successor Kalanda added vigour – all that combined to create KCCA all sorts of problems.
The additional of Muzamir Mutyaba and Mahad Yaya proved to be more salt in the wounds as KCCA were starved of possession.
Coach Wasswa Bbosa was animated on the touchline and commanded his aggressive army, before cutting a cold figure after the final whistle.
KCCA FC’s Cracks More Visible Despite Draw
At the post match conference, coach Mike Mutebi said that the one-all draw was a fair result “because we also missed chances and were denied a penalty.”
The truth? KCCA FC were second best, and never denied anything on the day.
They were slow in their buildup plays and failed to match the physique of the hosts.
KCCA FC forwards – Brian Aheebwa and Charles Lwanga – were pocketed right from the start, with the former Mbarara target man proving rusty when put on goal
Aheebwa fired wide and later denied by Mathias Muwanga who was rarely troubled thanks.
The other KCCA FC chance fell to Bright Anukani who, after receiving from Herbert Achai backheel, over hit his effort over.
Moses Aliro shot wide, failing to benefit from a poor headed clearance by Murushid Juuko.
The result will be a sigh of relief for under fire coach Mike Mutebi but the poor performance on the day was a sign of how low the club has fallen.
What Next: Express FC visit BUL as KCCA welcome MYDA FC on February 20.
Players Used:
Express FC XI – Mathias Muwanga, Enock Walusimbi, Kiggundu, Murushid Juuko, Isa Lumu, Daniel Shabena, Abel Eturude, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Charles Musiige, Eric Kambale, George Ssenkaaba
Substitutes: Crispus Kusiima, Denis Mubuya, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Mahad Yaya, Muzamir Mutyaba, Frank Kalanda and Mustafa Kiragga
KCCA FC XI – Charles Lukwago, Filbert Obenchan, Peter Magambo, Herbert Achai, Yasin Mugume, Moses Aliro, Keziron Kizito, Bright Anukani, Hassan Musana, Charles Lwanga, Brian Aheebwa.
Substitutes – Ali Mwirusi, Moses Kalanzi, Samuel Kato, Loro Mazengo, Samson Kigozi, Juma Balinya
