Express vs UPDF: Team News, Probable Lineups, Preview and Stats

February 11, 2023
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Saturday, February 11
*Express vs UPDF, Wankulukuku (2pm)
*Gadaffi vs SC Villa, Kakindu stadium
*Onduparaka vs URA, Greenlight Stadium

Team News

Express new January signings Winger Frank Ssenyondo returned to the club, midfielders Martin Opolot and Jamal Alimansi, goalkeeper Ronald Mutebi, defender Ismail Kawawulo, and striker Boban Zirintusa are set for their debuts
It’s tricky on who will show up after players striking in recent days after going months without pay
For UPDF they will be without Samson Kasozi, Mugisha Rogers, Kyeyune Abasi, Mukisa Simon and Shafik Magogo who are with the Uganda Hippos (U20)
Okello Donato and Pius Kaggwa will also miss the tie due to internal suspension.
New signings Were Derrick, Bernard Muwanga, Kimuli Gerald, Munir Saidi, Aluma Musa Oscar, Muwadda Mawejje, Arafat Galiwango, Aciga Emmanuel and Moses Kiggundu will hope to make their league debuts for the Army side.

Probable Lineups

*Express: Otim Denis (GK), Derrick Ngoobi, Isa Lumu, Arthur Kiggundu, Denis Otim, Daniel Shabene, Hussein Ssenoga, Ssebagala Enock, Mayanja Davis, Allan Kayiwa, Joseph Akandwanaho.

*UPDF – Were Derrick, Magandaazi Ibrahim, Arafat Galiwango, Kiggundu Moses, Bernard Muwanga, Adriko Rogers, Ibrahim Wammanah, Oscar Agaba, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Kimuli Gerald, Yiga Frank.

Preview: Broke Express Bank on Home record over UPDF

Express will bank on the impressive record against UPDF at Wankulukuku Stadium as they host UPDF in the 2pm kickoff game of the Uganda Premier League.

UPDF have never won a game at Wankulukuku Stadium in five visits.

James Odoch will seek to return to winning ways after a below-par end to the first round.

The Red Eagles ended the first round on a poor run of seven winless games, picking just three points and losing the other four matches.

They will hope to turn their fortunes around and pick a win for the first time since a 3-0 away victory over Busoga United in November.

Speaking ahead of match, Express FC Head Coach James Odoch admits his side didn’t perform well in the first half of the season and he’s confident they will bounce back.

“I know we did not finish the first round well and that is not the position where this historical club deserves to be,” Odoch as quoted by the club’s website.

“We used the break to find the right plan on how to improve in the second round and I believe the players we signed will blend in well with the rest of the team.

“I am optimistic that amidst all the challenges we shall have a good start against UPDF who are also not an easy team despite recent struggles.”

But there is dissatisfaction from players who have dodged training sessions this week citing unpaid arrears.

UPDF on the other side, will go all out in search of their first win over Express on the road.

However, the worry is that Brian Ssenyondo’s side have never won any away match this season.

The Army side will hope that the new signings will make a mark at Wankulukuku.

It was a first round to forget for UPDF who won just two matches, coming against Jinja based Busoga United and Gadaffi FC.

In the reverse fixture, Achumu Farid cancelled out Allan Kayiwa’s opener to force a one-all draw at the Bombo Barracks Ground.

Stats

Express finished the First Round 10th on the log with 17 points after 14 matches.

They manged four wins, five draws and defeats apiece with 12 goals scored and 15 conceeded.

They are winless in their last five matches, two draws and three loses scoring just one goal.

At home they have just one win in the last five games drawing the last three and one defeat.