MICHO vs express

By Daniel SaireExpress v SC VillaTODAY’s Express-Villa match has all the ingredients of an explosive encounter.Fireworks in the terraces. Fans whose team is on the losing end being jeered in addition to non-stop singing and drumming.A similar scenario is expected at Nakivubo stadium when bitter rivals Express and champions SC Villa lock horns in the first round of the Nile Special Super League. That the two archrivals recruited valuable players from each other’s arsenal is more reason to expect fireworks.Two years ago, the MU-MU striking partnership of Hassan Mubiru and Andrew Mukasa terrorised defences from their base at Villa Park. Mubiru later crossed over to Express. Mukasa, last year, resurrected the MU-MU partnership when he joined Mubiru at Wankulukuku from Villa.Villa also dug in and fished the Red Eagles’ captain, Philip Obwiny, after going in for Kenyan striker Maurice Sunguti a year earlier. The two sides capped their ambitions with the recruitment of new tacticians. Jimmy Muguwa who took over at Wankulukuku, yesterday, did not hide his wish to fell the jogoos.“I have prepared enough for this match and am only waiting for kick off to beat them,” he said. The coach said he would field his moody striker Andrew Mukasa if the player avails himself today.Muguwa also said his top striker Mubiru was worthy a goal in each match. Mubiru is yet to score against his former side in a league match though he netted twice in Express’ 3-1 win over Villa in Kakungulu Cup final last year.Muguwa’s Yugoslav counter part, Micho Sredojevich, could not hear of such talk.“Express is a good side but I have prepared a surprise strategy that will confirm Villa’s local winning supremacy,” Micho said. “After we beat Police on Wednesday, the pressure to win today is not on us but Express and that is how they will fall,” he added.The two sides were eliminated from continental football last week and have since been in camp preparing for the match.Nakivubo management yesterday issued sitting guidelines where Express fans will access the stadium from Namirembe Road and occupy the main and small Kirussia stands. Villa has been allocated the covered stands, Soweto and Kisenyi wings. Probable line ups - Express: W.Tamale, J. Odoch, P. Rwebuga, F. Gonzaga, E. Kalungi, A. Bironse, J. Mutyaba, J. Kyambadde, H. Mubiru, A. Mukasa K. Kisala.Villa: H. Kalyesubula, D. Iga, N. Kizito, J. Muwonge, T. Batabaire, M. Mukiibi, H. Magumba, P. Obwiny, M. Sunguti, S. Abed, P. Ssozi. ends