Express FC 2-0 Uganda Cranes
Express Football Club’s overall performance over the Uganda Cranes CHAN team will leave a lot more worry lines across the faces of several members of the national team’s technical wing.
The red eagles easily outsmarted the Cranes 2-0 at Mutesa II Stadium on Monday evening.
Silky but temperamental striker, Tonny ‘Ten’ Odur gave the home side the lead on 18 minutes following a well weighted delivery from Isaac Okello.
For long spells of the one hour per half match, the club was superior than the national team.
Eric Ssebuguzi, who had just replaced Emma Kalyowa notched the second with a glancing header off Sulaiman Mutyaba’s curling effort from the corner kick to ignite excitement from the Express fans in the stands.
The second half witnessed a couple of changes called by the Express F.C bench as Micho replaced the entire crop of players.
Ceaser Okhuti’s fancy footwork left a crop of Express players stranded but his great cross from the left was volleyed over the bar by a well stationed Deus Bukenya.
Left back Joseph Ochaya, taking over from Isaac Muleme twice tested Express goalkeeper, Ali Kiggundu from distance but without success.
Ssekisambu fired wide of goal from less than 15 yards following another Ochaya pin point delivery from the left.
Muzamir Mutyaba’s 35 yards shot flew high of Express’ goal as the Cranes intensified the attacks. Unfortunately, none could yield any fruitful dividend in terms of goal count.
The build up comes barely five days to the first leg of the second round Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifier against Sudan at Nakivubo Stadium.
Cranes head coach remains sure of a positive performance come the D-match.
The players will rise to the occasion. We have lost build ups to clubs. Re-call before we played Tanzania, Mauritania, we lost to domestic clubs (Kira Young F.C and URA F.C). We have a second build up against SC Villa on Wednesday, which is just another good test.
Team Line Ups:
Express F.C XI: Martin Elungati (G.K), Abdul Mayanja, Isaac Okello, Isa Lumu, Ayubu Kizza, Ronald Kigozi, Ibrahim Kayiwa, Vincent Kayizzi, Emma Kalyowa, Tonny Odur, Sulaiman Mutyaba
Subs: Ali Kiggundu (G.K), Eric Ssebuguzi, Julius Ogwang, Hamid Kayongo, Ronald Seku, Musa Mukasa, Yafeesi Mubiru, Charles Wamala
Uganda Cranes (First Half Team): Isma Watenga (G.K), Denis Okot, Henry Katongole, Benard Muwanga, Hakim Senkumba, Kezironi Kizito, Timothy Awani, Peter Katumba, John Ssemazzi, Frank Kalanda
Change: Mathias Kigonya replaced Isma Watenga (after 40 minutes)
Uganda Cranes (Second Half team): James Alitho (G.K), Ibrahim Kiyemba, Joseph Ochaya, Hassan Wasswa Dazo, Shafiq Bakaki, Ivan Ntege, Deus Bukenya, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Farouk Miya, Ceaser Okhuti, Erisa Ssekisambu
