Match-day 11
Friday, December 17
•Onduparaka Vs URA FC – Arua
•BUL FC Vs Bright Stars – Bugembe
•Express Vs Gaddafi – Wankulukuku
•Mbarara City Vs Wakiso Giants – Kakyeka
Saturday, December 18
•SC Villa Vs KCCA – Njeru
•Vipers SC Vs Tooro United – Kitende
•Arua Hill Vs UPDF – Barifa
•Police FC Vs Busoga United – Lugogo
Team News
- Winger Martin Kizza is set for a late fitness test while Enock Ssebagala returns from suspension
- Express will continue to miss defender Arthur Kiggundu and midfielder Abel Eturude.
- For Gaddafi FC, Captain Andrew Waiswa is back from an injury
- Yunus Sibira is suspended after picking his third yellow card against SC Villa, Umar Kyeyune and Nazir Sserwadda are ruled out with injuries.
Probable Lineups
Express FC – Joel Mutakubwa, Enock Walusimbi, Sadiq Ssekyembe, Issa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Nicholas Kasozi, Mahad Yaya Kakooza, Godfrey Lwesibawa, George Ssenkaaba, Eric Kambale, Martin Kizza
Gaddafi FC – Mutebi Ronald, Buchochera Jamaldin, Musana Hassan, Magumba Bakari, Andrew Waiswa, Onen Franko, Amos Kirya, James Otim, Bithum Ronald, Kalumba Brian, Paul Musamali
Preview: No room for error for Express
Express will be going for maximum points against Gaddafi at Wankulukuku.
The Red Eagles who sit 10 points below leaders KCCA FC, cannot afford to drop more points.
They were held to a goalless draw against URA in Ndejje and the home fixture against newcomers Gaddafi presents a good opportunity for the defending champions to bounce back.
“We have prepared well for the game against Gaddafi on Friday, we respect them but we are focused to earn maximum points,” Express coach Wasswa Bbosa told the club media.
“The players are well prepared and they know getting maximum points is out target, we want to close the gap between us and the table leaders and we can only do that by winning games.”
Express FC’s main problem this season has been their inability to find the back of the net, and with Eric Kambale blowing hot and cold, they will need other players to come to the party.
George Ssenkaaba must shoulder the scoring burden and Winger Martin Kizza’s return has been timely in case he makes the squad.
They face a solid Peter Onen side that days back frustrated a talented SC Villa side.
And Onen is aware of the latest challenge Express will pose.
“The table standings is so demanding for both of us,” started Onen. “We (Express and Gaddafi) are so close and we are taking the game seriously. Beating a defending champion is not so simple but we are very prepared. This is not going to be a simple game but we are banking on our preparations.”
The two teams will be meeting for the first time in the league but shared spoils (0-0) in a preseason encounter at Wankulukuku.
The Stats
Express
- The Red Eagles sit 6th with 16 points from 10 games (4W, 4D, 2L)
- They have the meanest defence in the league (joint with KCCA), having conceded only 7
- Have kept three consecutive clean sheets at Wankulukuku
Gaddafi
- The Soldier Boys sit 10th with 13 points from 10 games (3W, 4D, 3L)
- They have let in 14 goals, only Busoga United (15) and Tooro United (26) have conceded more.
- They have drawn their last four away games!
