Uganda Premier League
- Friday April 29, 2017
- Express FC vs KCCA – Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku @ 4pm
KCCA make a short trip to Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku seeking to avoid another slump when they take on rivals Express FC in the Uganda Premier League.
The Kasasiro, log leaders and favourites to defend the crown they won last season head into the game on the back of a 2-1 loss to Vipers which gave hope to their rivals that they can still get back into contention.
Ahead of the duel, Mike Mutebi admits it will be tough against yet another giant side but feels his side is capable of getting a decent result.
“It’s not going to be easy,” admitted Mutebi. “But we are confident and feel we have ability to defend that championship,” he added. “It’s going to be tough at Wankulukuku but we have to get a result from the game to remain firm.
His counterpart Matia Lule has taken swipe at the gaffer saying he is the one under pressure and hope that plays into the hosts’ favour.
“For us, it’s a game like any other,” he told the media. “KCCA is the team under pressure since they are chasing a championship but we need to pick maximum points,” he added.
Lule, a former tactician at Lugogo however believes his side must win on Friday to rejoin the race as they are just eight points adrift in 4th place.
“The target isn’t the title but if we pick maximum points off them, who knows?
Team News
The hosts have no injury worries with midfielders Noah Ssemakula and Sulaiman Jjingo all back to fitness while KCCA will have to check on Brian Majwega and Muzamiru Mutyaba who limped off on Tuesday.
Man to Watch
Ibrahim Saddam Juma – It’s a game that provides chance to the Express skipper to showcase what KCCA missed when they tried to lure him to Lugogo in the January window. On his good days, Saddam can make everyone around him tick and this is his kind of games. Big game, Big player.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma – Without his goals, it’s hard to imagine where the Kasasiro would be on the log. The veteran centre forward has already netted twice this season at the venue and will hope lady luck smiles his way again if his side are to pick maximum points
Stats:
- KCCA have won just once in their last six matches – drawn 4 and won 1 while Express FC have won 4 of their previous 5 league outings
- Express have won 3 of the previous 13 meetings, lost 4 while the rest are stalemates.
- The last time a tie between the two sides produced a winner at Wankulukuku was in 2011 when the hosts won 1-0.
- There have only been two goalless draws in the previous 13 league meetings.
Probable XI:
Express FC: Emmanuel Opio (GK), Musa Mukasa, Samuel Ssenkoomi, Daniel Onyebuchi, Yayo Lutimba, Derrick Tekwo, Mahad Kakooza, Ibrahim Saddam Juma (C), Allan Kyambadde, Simon Sserunkuma and Joseph Ssemujju.
KCCA FC: Benjamin Ochan (GK), Denis Rukundo, Isaac Muleme, Habib Kavuma, Denis Okot (C), Ivan Ntege, Isaac Kirabira, Paul Mucureezi, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Allan Okello and Geoffrey Sserunkuma