Express FC’s hopes of winning a league double for the first time since 1995 went up in smoke when they lost 1-0 to BUL FC in the semi-finals of the Stanbic Uganda Cup on Thursday at the Fufa technical center Njeru.

Midfielder Mukisa Owen scored the only goal of the game in the 26th minute.

The Red Eagles started slow, building from the back but their sharpness infront of goal was lacking meanwhile, BUL FC did more of possessing the ball but Murushid Juuko’s commanding figure at the back ensured safety.

The Jinja based side would however keep the pressure on and got the break in the 26th minute when Mukisa Owen calmly curled home from the left flank to make it 1-0 for BUL FC which stayed that way until the break.

After recess, Wasswa Bbosa rang the changes bringing on Ivan Mayanja for Muzamiru Mutyaba and Mubuya Denis for Issa Lumu in order to add more speed on the flank and midfield but BUL FC kept in the game with Ibrahim Mugulusi pulling the strings in midfield for Alex Isabirye’s side.

Forward George Senkaaba came closest to level matters but his header off a Denis Mubuya cross on the right flank in the 57th minute kissed the cross bar and went out of play.

BUL FC managed to play it safe and see out the game to reach their first ever Stanbic Uganda Cup final in the club’s history.

REACTIONS.

Wasswa Bbosa – Head Coach.

“We did our best today but the players are fatigued, we’ve played alot of football, (League, Kagame Cup and CAF) but we’ve picked some positives and we’re going back to correct them, we hope by the time the league returns we’re good to go”.

Enock Walusimbi – Defender/Captain.

“We’re out of the Uganda Cup but we prepared well, we knew BUL was a good side, they used their chance while we didn’t, we failed to concentrate Infront of goal but we’re going back to prepare and correct the mistakes, it’s bad we’re out but we shall bounce back stronger just we did when we won the Kagame cup and the League”.

Express FC return to action in October when the StarTimes Uganda Premier League starts.

Express FC Starting XI: Denis Otim,  Enock Walusimbi,  Arthur Kigundu,  Issa Lumu (Denis Mubuya 46′), Murushid Juuko, John Byamukama (CharlesMusiige 52′), Mahad Yaya Kakooza, Muzamiru Mutyaba (Ivan Mayanja 46′),  Erick Kambale,  Martin Kizza (Abel Etrude 71′), George Senkaaba.

Unused Substitutes: Chrispus Kusiima, Richard Bbosa,  Daniel Shabene.