The Red Eagles are back in UPL action on Thursday 11th April against old rivals SC Villa.

Here’s everything you need to know

‪Express v Villa | UPL | Thursday 11th April | Betway Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku | Kick off 4pm | #EXPVIL‬

Team News

The Red Eagles will go into this one with a clean bill of health. First choice goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga missed the games against URA and a 2-0 win against Paidha at Wankulukuku but recovered and he will be available for selection.
Tony Kyamera deputized for him in both games and conceded once in two games which was not a bad show for the young goal keeper.
However, we shall get more updates from the manager’s pre match press conference on Wednesday in the morning at Wankulukuku.

How are Villa getting on?

The Jogoos are having a season to forget. From fighting for the trophy last season under the tutelage of former Red Eagle and coach Wasswa Bbosa who is now with Tooro United to fighting against relegation this season.
They hired former player and Uganda Cranes coach Moses Basena but thing didn’t go well then he was fired and replaced by youthful coach Douglas Bamweyana.
They are 12th on the table with 5 wins, 11 draws and 9 losses collecting just 26 points from 25 games. 5 points away from the bottom three which will be relegated this season if nothing changes.
They won their last game 2-1 against Mbarara City at Nambole thanks to two unthinkable howlers from Mbarara City’s senior goalkeeper Ali Kimera who is as well a former Villa player.

Who is their coach?

Villa are coached by former Express and Makerere University coach Douglas Bamweyana. The youthful coach is one of the most trained and highly educated coaches in Uganda. He teaches sport science at Makerere University and he is a coaches’ instructor. He worked as a physical trainer at Express under alongside coach Wasswa Bbosa and Coach Alex Gitta. After he became the head coach early last season but left after a short spell due to lack of results. He joined Villa after the sacking of Moses Basena before the end of the first round and he has managed to get them out of the relegation zone where he found them with no win in over 10 games.

Players to watch

No body knows where Villa would have been without the goals of Bashir Mutanda. The striker who seems to be out of form currently won games for them and got points for them in the first round and early in the second round including a brace against Express at Nambole when the Red Eagles were the team in form. In their last game he started from the bench with Ronald Magwali starting in his place. He may be out of form or out of favour but he is the main important player in their team with such goals to his name.

Classic meeting.

Nambole is the most iconic stadium in Uganda and the home of the Uganda Cranes. The stadium started operating in 1997 but the first game was played in 1998 and it was the league season’s opener. It was a no brainer for the league management to pick these two most iconic teams to open the venue.
Fred Tamale the Express midfielder scored the only goal as the Red Eagles defeated the Jogoos 1-0 to win the first ever game at Nambole and Tamale scored the first ever goal at the stadium putting his name and his team’s name in the record books of Ugandan Football.

Who else is playing on Matchday 26?

Tuesday 9th April (Kick off 4:30pm unless stated)

Police v Onduparaka 4pm Lugogo
Ndejje University v Nyamityobora, Bombo
Paidha Black Angels v KCCA, Zombo

Wednesday 10th April (Kick off 4:30pm unless stated)

BUL v Kirinya Jinja SSS, Njeru, 4pm
Maroons v Tooro United, Luzira
Mbarara City v Vipers, Kakyeeka
URA v Bright Stars, Nambole

Thursday 11th April
Express v Villa, Wankulukuku, 4pm

How do you think it will go down?
Let us know in the comments section below.

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