Tuesday, March 29
•Gaddafi 1-3 UPDF
•Express 2-1 Police
Express fought from a goal down to beat Police FC and return to winning ways in an entertaining league game at Wankulukuku.
Tonny Mawejje put Police in the lead but they were made to rue missed chances when Express staged a comeback.
George Senkaaba and an own goal from George Kiryowa ensured that Express picks first win under interim coach James Odoch after five league attempts.
Odoch who replaced sacked Wasswa Bbosa, had also seen Express bundle out of Uganda Cup in the hands of rivals SC Villa via shootouts.
It’s also the first win for Express since beating Tooro United on January 4 2022 in Buhinga, ending a spell of nine games without a victory in all competitions.
Police maintained a positive face after they were forced into early substitution when goalkeeper Abdul Kimera was stretchered off hurt after colliding with Ssenkaaba in the second minute of the game.
And they deservedly took the lead through Captain and experienced midfielder Mawejje who curled into the top corner after a cheeky back heel from Juma Balinya.
But they wasted various chances to extend their lead including Mawejje who forced goalkeeper Denis Otim into a low save.
The Red Eagles levelled at the stroke of halftime through Ssenkaaba who headed in a decent corner kick delivery by Sadiq Ssekyembe.
Express continued to grow in the game in the second half and benefited from a couple of mistakes from Police FC backline.
And they punished the Peace Keepers when Ruben Kimera poorly headed in Ivan Mayanja’s path who rifled onto the crossbar for Kiryowa to turn the rebound into his own net.
Ssenjobe and Kimera remained suspects at Police backline and Express were gifted good chances to widen the gap but in vain.
But the Red Eagles held on to their lead as they sealed their eighth win of the season and move to 36 points.
With Police leading 1-0, Express saw Kambale effort blocked, Enock Ssebagala rattle the crossbar, while Tom Ikara also kept out an effort from Kambale.
Joseph Akandanwaho caught Ruben Kimera in possession, strolled forward only for his effort to be headed into corner.
And it’s from that resultant corner that Express got their equaliser from before the break.
Mawejje almost restored Police lead at restart but his shot was just an inch wide.
After Express took the lead, Police rarely threatened beside Johnson Odongo’s long range drive that flew wide.
It’s another frustrating result for Abdallah Mubiru whose side remain four points above the red zone.
What Next:
•Express Vs BUL – March 30, Wankulukuku
•Police Vs URA – April 4, Lugogo
Team Lineups
Express – Denis Otim, Isa Lumu, Enock Walusimbi, John Byamukama, Sadiq Ssekyembe, Daniel Shabena, Enock Ssebagala, Ivan Mayanja, Joseph Akandanwaho, Eric Kambale, George Ssenkaba
Police – Abdul Kimera, Eric Ssenjobe, Tonny Mawejje, Yusuf Ssozi, Johnson Odongo, Ruben Kimera, Samuel Kayongo, Muwadde Mawejje, Juma Balinya, Tonny Kiwalazi, George Kiryowa
