Express, Kitara, URA and Vipers advance to Uganda Cup Round of 16

Joint record holders of the Stanbic Uganda Cup Express FC (10-time winners) put aside recent scoring struggles to produce a composed 2-0 victory over Ntungasaze on Wednesday at Kira Road Police Arena in Kamwokya to secure their place in the round of 16.

Coming into the tie, there had been quiet anxiety within the Red Eagles camp. The Uganda Premier League (UPL) side had failed to score in their previous three outings, all of which ended in goalless stalemates.

Against a confident Ntungasaze side enjoying good form in the FUFA Big League, the ingredients for a potential cup upset were evident.

Recent results in the competition had also already shown that pedigree counts for little in knockout football. In the previous round, non-league outfit Football Classroom stunned Calvary, a UPL side to serve as a reminder that lower-division sides are never to be underestimated.

But Express approached the contest with maturity and urgency. From the opening exchanges, they asserted control, dictating tempo and pinning Ntungasaze deep inside their own half. Their early dominance paid off when experienced midfielder Mikidadi Ssenyonga broke the deadlock, calmly finishing to ease the pressure that had been building around the team’s blunt attack.

Express could have extended their lead before the break after carving out several clear opportunities, but wastefulness in front of goal kept Ntungasaze in the game.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Ntungasaze attempting to raise their intensity but struggling to create clear-cut chances against a disciplined Express backline. Any lingering hope of a comeback was extinguished with 14 minutes remaining when Henry Wamala doubled the advantage, finishing off a well-worked move to seal the contest.

The second goal not only secured progression but also restored confidence to a side that had recently struggled for the cutting edge.

Elsewhere, URA FC were pushed to the brink by Blacks Power at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo. After a tense goalless draw in normal time, URA held their nerve in the shootout, converting six penalties to edge their opponents 6-5 and book their place in the next round.

In Arua, Onduparaka ended Football Classroom’s fairytale run with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory at Greenlight Stadium following another goalless stalemate in regulation time.

Meanwhile, Kitara FC, the 2024 winners, continued their steady march with a 2-0 win over Entebbe UPPC at Royal Park Stadium in Hoima. Goals from George Ssenkaaba and Emmanuel Wasswa ensured safe passage for the Royals.

Defending champions Vipers SC produced the most emphatic result of the round, thrashing regional league side Pajule Lions 6-0 at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, to underline their intent to retain the trophy.

Stanbic Uganda Cup

Round of 32 Results

Kitara 2 UPPC 0

Vipers 6 Pajule 0

Ntungasaze 0 Express 2

URA 0 (5) Blacks Power 0 (5)

Onduparaka 0 (5) Classroom (4)

Kigezi 1 (3) Happy Boys 1 (4)

Thursday, 3pm

Maroons v Kumi Utd

UPDF v NEC

Friday

Tapo Utd v Mutolere

Police v Lugazi