Ssimbwa to refocus onto the Super League trophy

By Swalley Kenyi

Maroons 1 Victors 1

Firemasters 1 Express 2

UTODA 1 Proline 4

EXPRESS Coach Sam Ssimbwa has said that the result of their next Uganda Super League game against URA FC will change his ambitions in the league.

Ssimbwa, who early in the season insisted that his target was to finish among the top five on the table said after their 2-1 win over Firemasters that he was likely to refocus on the first league title for the Red Eagles in 15 years if they beat URA on April 7.

The Red Eagles came from a goal down at half time on Friday to overcome a resilient Firemasters side, which had held onto a 1-1 draw until the 82 minute of play. Yayo Lutimba scored two penalties.

The result has pushed Express to the apex of the Super League table -one point above the champions URA FC (37points) for the first time since December last year.

 “Being on top of the table is really a bonus but it is also a motivation for my team before we play URA. When we beat URA, the way we look at things will change as the gap with the teams will widen and that will give us a different thinking,” Ssimbwa said.

Maroons Coach Asaf Mwebaze was not surprised by his sides 1-1 draw with Victors in Luzira. Maroons trailed most of the second half duration until 83^rd minute when George Abege picked the equaliser. Edward Kakembo had given Victors the lead in the 44minute.

Prior to the game Mwebaze noted that his team needed to adjust their psyche following the recent players' strike that left some players led by Samuel Ogutu dismissed. Abege is on his last warning.  

Proline striker Charles Tibingana got himself on to the top scorers’ chat with five goals after he notched a hat-trick as his side trounced relegation bound UTODA. The taxi-men’s team has not won in 19 league games so far.

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BUNAMWAYA SC will not expect to face KCC soon after a loss and thank God their Uganda Super League encounter with the Lugogo side has been postponed to April 14. Bunawaya are still riling from a 1-0 defeat to Victors last week.

The two sides were due to clash on Friday but Bunamwaya requested a postponement because more than three of their players are on national duty with the Cranes in Khartoum.

Express (35points), who led the table early in the season, will have the opportunity to leap onto the top of the table again if they can beat Firemasters in Kavumba.

Sam Ssimbwa's side is fresh from a 4-1 drubbing of UTODA and the Red Eagles will look to club top scorer Julius Ogwang (seven) for the goals.

Maroons FC have not won a Uganda Super League game in Luzira since December last year and coach Asaf Mwebaze believes it their turn when they host Victors at Maroons stadium Friday.

But he will need to work on the psyche of the team that is still recovering from the recent players' strike that left some players led by Samuel Ogutu dismissed and lead striker George Abege among others put on last warning.  

Maroons will be without defenders Brian Akena (injured) and suspended Denis Rukundo paving the way for Pate Wanouk and Alex Shida to start.

Mwebaze has changed the winning partnership of Peter Otai and Abege and Isaac Kasujju playing behind them to fronting Abege and Kasujju and relieve Otai of what he called pressure on the 19 year old.

"I'm looking forward to the team (Maroons) gaining focus. The strike caused havoc and the players will take time to recover," Mwebaze said after training this morning.

Maroons, who are seventh on the 16 team league table with 25points, go into the game with a 2-0 Uganda Cup victory over big league side Auram Roses early in the week and a draw from their first leg with Victors in kakindu. Victors are a point behind them.

Victors will be without striker Karim Ndugwa and Ibrahim Kizza in the defense. The duo are set go for trials in Sudan.

Sixth placed Proline FC go to Wankulukuku against bottom of the table team UTODA seeking to recover from a 2-1 defeat to Simba in Bombo last week.

Coach Abdallah Mubiru, who assumed the job at the beginning of the second half is well-aware that UTODA is equally wounded and will do anything to win.

"UTODA has poor performance of late and with the losses they've suffered, you expect them to surprise. However, we shall go out to win and enjoy the game," Mubiru said.