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Fixtures – Friday 8th November
- Express Vs SC Villa – 7pm
- Bright Stars Vs Kitara- 4pm
Express Football Club will host defending League Champions SC Villa in the Uganda Premier League at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo on Friday 8th November.
The two have had an ongoing rivalry over the years and this is another time to showcase what each side have in stock for the other.
Unlike last season, when Express had a good start to campaign this time round things haven’t panned out as planned with only 2 wins, 3 draws going on to lose twice thus keeping them 11th with 9 points.
The Red Eagles will be looking at returning to winning ways after a loss at home to Lugazi FC and two draws against Police and Wakiso Giants (both away).
With the departure of their head Coach Baker Mbowa, they hosts will have to rely on the interim head coach Badru Kaddu Mukasa and different senior players like Saidi Kyeyune and Captain Emmanuel Wasswa to lift the spirits of the young ones in the team.
In an interview with interim Head Coach Badru Kaddu, he came out to say that his side is well prepared;
“We have prepared the players so well,” he stated
Continuing that; “In our hamoury, we have everybody that can perform well and expecting one of the best games this”
“Therefore we call upon all our fans to come support us ” he concluded
While visitors SC Villa on the other side have had a tricky start winning and losing twice in the first Four season games before drawing two other matches from leading positions against Bright Stars and Maroons.
However the above results took Jogoos up the Log with 8 points before collecting three more In their last outing where they put up a Five star performance.
The 17 times UPL champions managed to put Five past UPDF Football Club with an excellent display from the team but specifically Patrick Jonah Kakande, Hakim Kiwanuka and Charles Lwanga.
One of the goal celebrations in game against UPDF FC.
With reference from the UPDF game, that performance is expected to boast Villa with confidence and push them past their derby rivals for the first time this season.
Ahead of the game, SC Villa Head Coach Morley Byekwaso labeled the derby as a very big game and urged his side to work more;
“We are not yet there because the League is a marathon and still struggling and fighting to see that we get where we are supposed to be ” he said
Adding that; “We are playing Express it’s a big derby it will be different from the previous game we played and won 5-0”
“We shall need to work more to see that we achieve our goals that game is very big Express has some experienced players, good coach so we have to be aware and use our tactics well” he concluded
Previous meetings
2016/17
Express 1-0 SC Villa
SC Villa 3-2 Express
2017/18
Express 0-0 SC Villa
SC Villa 1-0 Express
2018/19
Express 1-1 SC Villa
SC Villa 2-0 Express
2019/20
SC Villa 1-0 Express
Express 0-1 SC Villa
2020/21
SC Villa 0-0 Express
Express 1-0 SC Villa
2021/2022
Express 0-0 SC Villa
SC Villa 1-2 Express
2022/23
SC Villa 2-0 Express
Express 1-2 SC Villa
2023/24
Express 1-2 SC Villa
SC Villa 1-0 Express
Before the derby game, Bright Stars will host struggling side Kitara Football Club at Kavumba recreation ground.
