It’s been a tough season for Express FC and the latest horror show in the 2-1 defeat at home to rivals SC Villa on Sunday had the Red Eagles faithful racking their brains.
The defeat, sixth in the last ten games in which they haven’t won, came at a time when SC Villa had gone a man down and James Odoch failed to capitalise on numerical advantage for over half an hour.
In the aftermath, angry Express fans stormed the home dressing room targeting club CEO Isaac Mwesigwa asking him to resign as well as throwing insults at players who they allege of not giving enough.
It’s an open secret that players and staff have gone several months without payment but fans don’t want to hear that as an excuse for underperformance.
In their wisdom, any disgruntled player should just stay home rather than turn up for training and matches to play rubbish.
It should be noted that before the resumption of the second round, club chairman Kiryowa Kiwanuka met with the players a few hours before the UPDF game which ended in a 1-1 draw.
A promise to pay their arrears was made but it’s not clear whether it was effected or not but they continue to show up for matches.
When contacted, Mwesigwa remains firm and believes things will soon change for the better.
“I ask for calmness from fans and all they should do is stand with the players because this is when they need them most,” said Mwesigwa.
“The administration is doing all in its powers to pay the players and they know that but it will be a shame if payment comes but they can’t do something about the lost points,” he stressed.
A couple of players have sighted lack of motivation for the abysmal performance.
Daniel Shabene, the club’s best midfielder hasn’t shown up this year with reports he is injured although close sources to the player state otherwise.
Their goalkeeping coach Daniel Kiwanuka quit barely two months into the season and there was a time when the club didn’t have a GK coach until Ibrahim Male’s arrival this year.
Allan Kayiwa who reportedly blasted his teammates for the no-show against Villa has urged all to improve, give their all and win games.
They were second-best in every department against the Jogoos, outrun, outplayed and outfought by a team that played more than thirty minutes with a man less.
At the moment, they are 11th on the 15-team table with 18 points after 17 games and just six points above the drop zone.
Meanwhile, the fans might not be enjoying what they’re watching at the moment, but Mwesigwa knows he can still count on their unwavering support.
And that will be crucial if the Red Eagles are to dig their way out of the hole they find themselves in. The time for togetherness at Wankulukuku is now and not later.
Express FC Remaining UPL fixtures
- March 19: Gaddafi (a)
- March 31: Onduparaka (h)
- April 08: BUL (a)
- April 18: Busoga (h)
- April 25: Bright Stars (a)
- April 28: Wakiso Giants (h)
- May 03: Arua Hill (a)
- May 13: KCCA (h)
- May 16: Vipers (a)
- May 19: Maroons (h)
- May 27: Blacks Power (a)