- Pre-season Frienndly: Mbarara City 1-0 Express
- Curtain raiser: Members of Parliament 0-0 Mbarara District Leaders
Newly promoted Uganda Premier League side, Mbarara City has defeated Express 1-0 in a well-attended pre-season friendly at the Kakyeka Stadium on Friday.
Brian Ahebwa scored the all important goal through a penalty on the hour mark.
Ahebwa had been fouled in the area by defender Mubarak Nsubuga during a goal melee, a decision bitterly protested by the Express defenders.
The goal arrived at an opportune time when either sides had missed a couple of half goal scoring chances.
South Sudanese lanky striker Makweth Wol was close for Mbarara City and Sharif Ochaya for Express in the opening 45 minutes.
Both sides made a couple of changes as the second half progressed.
The home side granted Congolese new signing Swed Satugomba a second half appearance much to the delight of the packed stands.
Setugomba lived to the billing and hype with exciting sharp turns, successful dribbles and trickery.
Express fielded an experimental side that had the likes of former Amus College left winger Peter Lusumbula who made a cameo appearance for Remmy Makumbi in the second half of the match.
Before the main match, there was a curtain raiser between Members of Parliament and the Mbarara District local leaders. The game ended in a goal-less draw after normal time.
Earlier in the day, the club had a fundraising function that fetched close to Shs90M.
President Yoweri Museveni, who had been invited as chief guest was represented by State Minister for Sports, Charles Bakabulindi.
Museveni gave the club Shs10M in cash, delivered by Bakabulindi.
26 members attended the fundraiser ahead of the club’s pre-season training.
Reactions
Express head coach Mathias Lule saluted the significance of the friendly and its timing.
“I am happy by the performance of my team. This friendly match has been timely and it will help me with the early preparations,” Lule told Kawowo Sports.
His counterpart, Richard Makumbi was excited by the victory which he believes is a great building platform ahead of the new season kick off.
Team Line ups:
Mbarara City XI: Muhammad Ssekebba (.G.K), Ibrahim Oriti, Stephen Othieno, Junior Ainamani, Hillary Mukundano, Brian Aheebwa, Makweth Wol, Jasper Aheeba, Salimini Landrick, Bebe Swaliki
Subs: Jackson Opio (G.K), Gilvas Nuwagaba, Faruku Samari, Siraje Musindo, Simon Sentumbwe, Bosco Sempa, Swed Satugomba
Team officials:
Head coach: Richard Makumbi
Assistant coach: Nasibu Nditta
Team manager: Julius Byamukama
Express XI: Nadir Muhammad (G.K), Timothy Sebudde, Remmy Makumbi, Isaac Katende, Deo Othieno, Rashid Nsubuga, Willy Ochenyi, Sharif Ochaya, Abdul Karim Kasule, Elama Yusufu, Mubarak Nsubuga
Subs: Emmanuel Opio (G.K), Ali Eyatu, Edgar Mujuni, Emmanuel Ikobwa, Peter Lusimbula, Jonathan Badisire, Fesite Ziebi, Brian Olega
Team officials:
Head coach: Mathias Lule
Assistant coach: Pius Ngabo
