Express fans roar back as derby victory signals new dawn

Uganda Premier League

Results

Express 2 KCCA 0

Kataka 1 BUL 4

Friday, 8pm

URA v SC Villa

For the whole of last season, Express FC played their games without their historically known passionate fans, “Mukwano Gw’Abangi” which was as almost as painful as the results themselves as the club struggled on and off the pitch due to financial constraints.

Their supporters stayed away in protest of the club owners who they accused of neglecting the club by not financially supporting it to recruit the best players and also failed to meet salaries of the playing staff and coach and a s a result they boycotted league games and even when they attended, the numbers were always few compared to the famous big fan base the club enjoys.

But on Thursday night at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo, the silence was gone as Express fans surprised everyone when they filled the stands in big numbers, something they didn’t do last season.

By kick-off, the side reserved for Express was awash with red and white. Flags bearing the Express eagle were waving, drums rolled and chants filled the air as thousands of supporters returned to watch their team face old rivals KCCA FC in the Kampala derby of the Uganda Premier League (UPL) match day two of the season.

Express FC players celebrate after Express beat KCCA FC 2-0 during a Uganda Premier League match at the Hamz Stadium. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Overall, the attendance was massive with also KCCA fans and neutrals coming in big numbers, even at halftime, more fans were still making their way into the stadium.

For one night, Express looked like the giant their fans have always believed they could be and the football matched the atmosphere.

The team coached by former KCCA coach Morely Byekwaso started the game brightly, dominating possession and creating chances which excited their fans.

Steven Yiga, Alpha Thiery Ssali who recently signed from KCCA, Andy Kyambadde, Isaac Wagoina, Shafik Batambuze and Memory Kisuule each produced strong performances.

Wagoina put Express in front in the 51st minute with a good finish assisted by Stuart Mutebi, a moment that sent the Express fans wild.

Deep in stoppage time, substitute Derick Ddungu, musician-turned-footballer Derrick Ddungu, popularly known as Rickman, came off the bench to seal the victory with a goal that exposed KCCA goalkeeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa and his defenders.

Rickman's goal carried a story of its own. He is a staunch KCCA supporter who grew up supporting the club his father coach Patrick Kabuye featured for.

Rickman found himself scoring against his boyhood team. His mother watched from the stands as he celebrated emotionally, removing his shirt and running towards the supporters.

For Express coach Morley Byekwaso, the night was equally significant. The former KCCA player and coach was facing his old employers, but also reunited with Rickman, whom he coached as a five-year-old nearly two decades ago.

There was another family story in the Express camp. Alpha Ssali, son of celebrated musician Bebe Cool, made his first start for Express against his former club KCCA after struggling for regular playing time at Lugogo last season.

Ssali responded with an impressive display in the first that repeatedly excited the home crowd whenever he got on the ball.

Bebe Cool and his wife Zuena were in the stands alongside their children, adding another layer to an already emotional evening. Zuena later presented the man-of-the-match award to Express's outstanding right-back Glory Kisuule.

Away from the pitch, another important figure returned. Express owner Minister of Defence Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who had been criticised during the club's difficult period and had largely stayed away from matches, watched from the stands alongside City tycoon and staunch Express fan Godfrey Kirumira.

Their appearance triggered wild celebrations among supporters who have long called for the club's wealthy backers to return and support the team in challenging for trophies.

At full time, Kiwanuka and Kirumira stepped onto the pitch, congratulated the players and handed them a winning bonus which is reportedly said to be around sh2m and promised to support the team this season with more funding.

For KCCA, however, the night deepened the crisis at the Lugogo based club, The defeat was their second successive 2-0 loss after losing to NEC in their opening game.

Despite recently winning the FUFA Super 8, their league start has been disastrous and head coach Brian Ssenyondo is under massive pressure.

KCCA fans refused to leave Nakivubo after the final whistle, waited outside the stadium furious at their players and also some were heard calling for Ssenyondo to resign.