Payback time for Express against Simba

By James Bakama

THE Maroons versus Express encounter last November is best remembered for one of Bell Uganda Super League’s biggest upsets.

Express left Luzira wondering what had hit them after then lightweights Maroons beating them 2-0.  Coach Sam Ssimbwa however insists that the time for surprises is over. “Take it from me, we are beating Maroons this time,” vowed Ssimbwa.

A win for Ssimbwa will have the Red Eagles regaining the league lead.  Ssimbwa’s confidence is understandable. Save for injured Godfrey Kavulu, he will have the rest of the players who beat KCC recently.

Swift striker Erias Sekisambu will be Ssimbwa’s new inclusion. Sekisambu might have been dropped by Villa in the mid-season but Ssimbwa has a different opinion. He has great potential in the player. “He has very good pace,” noted the coach.

But as Express plans for Maroons defeat,  Asaph Mwebaze’s side has also been busy. “It is not the first time we are hearing such talk. It could turn out as a completely different story. Also remember that the pressure is on them,” noted Maroons’s skipper Sylvester Okello.

KCC coach Morley Byekwaso sees the Lugogo side’s trip to Kavumba as an opportunity to revive the team’s title hopes. KCC, who last won a match in November, have lost three of their last six matches.

Byekwaso believes his new signings Yusuf Juuko and Andy Ssali will inject new life in the team. Juuko, who was signed from Express, will make his first appearance for KCC today. Byekwaso believes Juuko’s overlaps will be a great boost to his midfield.

Ssali will partner with Caesar Sapeo in attack.  In a bid to add punch to the midfield, Byekwaso has improvised by giving Richard Malinga a linkman’s role.

Elsewhere, Police FC will look to Joram Katende for ammunition when they confront unpredictable BIDCO.

Apart from Sula Lwanga, Katende has been everything exciting about Police’s run in the season so far.