Maroons coach faces fan fury after home defeat

STARTIMES UGANDA PREMIER LEAGUE

Thursday result

Maroons 0-1 Express

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Following Thursday's 1-0 defeat at home to Express, a result that further narrowed the club's chances of surviving relegation, a section of Maroons fans questioned the tactics of their head coach Douglas Bamweyana and called for his immediate sacking.

"Let him go and leave our team alone, afterall we are going down," said one fan after the game at Luzira.

The hosts were punished by Frank Kalanda, whose 66th minute strike gave Express victory and took them to ninth place.

It was Maroons' fifth straight defeat and a seventh successive game without a win. They are 13th, right on the edge of the drop zone.

Maroons has now gone  games without a win and lies 13th on the 16 team log with 24 points.

In the face of the fans' wrath, Bamweyana admitted that the Maroons camp was right to be critical of his handling of matters at the club.

It is understandable for any Maroons fan and other people who wish this team well to be angry because to be honest we are not doing well. I admit the team has had a terrible run, where we have lost many games in a row," he said.

Bamweyana, however, hopes to use the one-and-half-month of the league break to reorganise his boys, rectify all the mistakes and do everything possible to help the team survive relegation.

"Now that the league is taking a break, I am going to sit down with the boys and we forge means of getting out of this poor situation.

"We are going to fight in the remaining games to survive. The fans should be calm," said Bamweyana.

Maroons top scorer Steven Mukwala (13 goals) called for calm from the fans, vowing that they will battle to the very end.

"It is sad to lose and I also understand the anger the fans have but we also don't want to lose," he said. "Just stay calm, we are going to fight untill the last game."

In their remaining five games, Maroons will face Villa, URA, Police, Mbarara City and Kyetume.

Meanwhile, Express head coach Wasswa Bbosa was pleased with Thursday's result and said his mission of helping the team remain in the top flight is taking the right direction.

"It was a good performance from the boys. I came here purposely to help the team survive relegation. I am happy that we are moving in the right direction," he said.

On Friday leaders Vipers could stretch their lead at the top to six points when they take on Wakiso Giants. On the same day, URA will lock horns with relegation-threatened Police.