Express raring to fly

By Reuben OlitaEXPRESS are confident they will make Sunday’s final of the East African Hedex Super Cup.“Fans back home have high expectations regarding our performance. While we concur with them, we shall not take things for granted but strive to tame our opponents,” assistant coach Godfrey Nyola told The New Vision. The Kakungulu Cup winners arrived in Mwanza at the weekend.The Ugandan side, that boasts a deadly striking combination of Andrew Mukasa and Hassan Mubiru, begin their quest for the Hedex Super Cup this afternoon against Ulinzi of Kenya at the CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza. Kick off is at 4.30pm.Nyola noted that Ulinzi earned the distinction to feature for the regional finals after beating established sides like Gor Mahia, a feat that makes them no push-overs, thus the need for caution.Head coach Jimmy Muguwa has the experience and a full team free of injury to pick from today.Express aim to become the third Ugandan club to clinch the cup after Umeme and SC Villa. The winners will pocket Tsh22m, runners up sh3m and third-placed sh1.8m.Although appearing tournament minnows, Ulinzi's star has continued to rise on the local scene with former Express coach Rishadi Shedu being the architect of their meteoric rise, and today's match could perhaps confirm their rising trend.Against Kariakoo of Tanzania on Sunday, Ulinzi looked set for victory with Tom Ogweno's goal after four minutes but a late penalty by Shila Mjema after Sammy Kessy was brought down in the box denied them garnering maximum points.r Oserian Fastac will after all participate in February 16-March 3 Cecafa clubs championship in Zanzibar after the Kenya Football Federation settled their dues in full.Subsequently, the team which jetted out of the country yesterday for the African champions league return leg match with Electricity of Ethiopia will travel directly to the island after their Saturday game in Addis Ababa.KFF acting secretary Hussein Swaleh said the federation paid the club Ksh250,000, with the difference(sh60,000) going towards the club's participation in the league, the Moi Golden Cup and players' cards.Oserian are in the same group with Uganda champions SC Villa, Mlandege of Zanzibar, Electricity and APR of Rwanda. Villa will open their campaign against hosts Mlandege on Saturday at the Amaan Stadium while defending champions Tusker of Kenya will open their title defence with hosts Forodha on Sunday.ends