Can KCC deny Express top spot at half-way mark?

Jan 06, 2012

EXPRESS FC is 90 minutes away from winding up the first round at the helm of the Bell Uganda Super League table.

By James Bakama

Uganda Super League

Friday, 4.30pm

Express v KCC

URA v Fire Masters

Simba v Bunamwaya

EXPRESS FC is 90 minutes away from winding up the first round at the helm of the Bell Uganda Super League table.

All the Red Eagles have to do, is beat their arch-rivals KCC today to reach the half-way point comfortably in the lead of the 15 team race.

A win will have the Wankulukuku side finishing their 14th match with 30 points. This, will be one point more than what their closest challengers URA can secure if they also win their remaining one match.

Express, rated by many as an average side at the start of the league, has instead turned out as the season’s biggest surprise and is currently showing all signs of winning their first league title in 16 years.

Besides the thirst for silverware, they will also be out to pay back their defeat by the same opposition in the two sides last encounter the previous season. KCC that time walked away with a 2-1 win.

All has however lately not been well at Lugogo. KCC last won a match in November, their last encounter being a 2-1 loss to Proline.

The 2007/08 super league champions have since dropped to ninth position on the table and victory today could lift them three places and end the first round in sixth position.

KCC is currently shopping for a coach. Club spokesman Aldrine Nsubuga said after parting ways with Mattia Lule, they have received applications from three Ugandan coaches.

Nsubuga, who however refused to divulge the names, noted that they would soon be making a choice.

“For now, Morley Byekwaso will continue serving as stand-in coach. I must say, that given his limited experience, he has done a good job and don’t be surprised if he pulls off a win against Express.”

Today’s encounter was supposed to be played last year but had to be postponed after being washed away during the heavy rains.

Reigning champions URA will be praying that Express slips. The tax collectors, who host lowly Fire Masters, will take the lead should they win and Express fails to get maximum points.

Third placed Bunamwaya should also have an easy run against struggling Simba. The army side has been in poor form since being shattered by news that they would not feature on the continental scene.

UPDF withdrew the Bell Uganda Cup winners from the CAF Confederations Cup last year due to lack of funds. “Morale has since been low,” explained coach Fred Kajooba.

Simba has as a result not won a match since November- a trend that has left the soldiers just two places away from the bottom.

 

 

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