Express FC performance this season is a true manifestation of how the club’s top brass has tried to put things right. It is a public secret that from the time Kenneth Kiryowa Kiwanuka took over as Club Chairman in August 2018, there has been transformation not only in administration but even on pitch.
Two seasons ago, Express FC were fighting to fend off relegation and plumbing new depths. However, the efforts put in to make sure the club is run properly seem to be taking them into the right direction.
By the end of the first round, the 6-time league winners occupy third spot on 32 points, four behind leaders URA FC and lost just one game in their opening fifteen.
But what has been the turnaround for the Red Eagles?
CEO Isaac Mwesigwa
His appointment in May last year came with mixed feelings, largely with many sceptical about what a novice in Isaac Mwesigwa would do to transform a team faced with several challenges. Ten months into his tenure, the dividends are tangible and the progress is evident.
Mwesigwa has been able to set up a secretariat that does the running of the club day to day. He has been empowered by Kiwanuka to make decisions without the Chairman necessarily intervening.
Wasswa Bbosa deserves the credit
When Bbosa said he was aiming to finish in the top three this season, I did not believe him. For a club that had struggled in the last five years, breaking into the top would be far-fetched. However, with motivation, Bbosa and his backroom staff have done a commendable job.
Until the loss to UPDF FC, Express FC had scored in each game, making a run of 16 successive games since Bbosa’s return to the club in February last year.
The addition of Hellen Buteme as the strength and conditioning coach has come with benefits and many of the Express FC players attest to this.
Goalkeeping coach Daniel Kiwanuka has equally done a commendable job in as far as the department is concerned. There is tremendous improvement for the first choice goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga and the team boosts of the best defence line at the halfway mark, conceding just seven goals.
The addition of Murushid Juuko to the backline brought more stability and a reason as why Express FC have been hard to break down.
Up front, George Ssenkaaba before getting injured had presented himself as a reliable finisher, forcing the coach to relegate Frank Kalanda to bench. Eric Kambale and Godfrey Lwesibawa have also made a contribution in terms of assists and goals scored.
The big question is whether the Red Eagles will fly high in the second round where every game matters in as far as the title race is concerned.
Express FC games in the first round
- Onduparaka FC 1-1 Express FC
- FC 2-1 Express FC
- Mbarara City FC 1-1 Express FC
- Express FC 1-0 SC Villa
- Express FC 1-1 Vipers SC
- URA FC 0-1 Express FC
- Express FC 1-1 KCCA FC
- BUL FC 0-4 Express FC
- MYDA FC 1-4 Express FC
- Express FC 3-0 Wakiso Giants FC
- Kitara FC 0-1 Express FC
- Express FC 1-0 Busoga United FC
- UPDF FC 1-0 Express FC
- Express FC 0-0 Kyetume FC
- Police FC 0-1 Express FC
