Express FC and KCCA FC played out to an entertaining 2-2 draw on Thursday afternoon on match day 19 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League at the Muteesa II stadium Wankulukuku.

Martin Kizza and Joseph Akandwanaho scored for the defending league and CECAFA Kagame Cup champions while Julius Poloto and Sadat Anaku scored for KCCA FC.

Both teams contained each other from the start but Express who had used the 3-5-2 system were more at it with Martin Kizza and Godfrey Lwesibawa running down the KCCA FC backline.

The hosts’ efforts were rewarded when KCCA FC’s Mato Rogers pulled Erick Kambale from outside the box who was headed for goal leaving center referee William Oloya with no option but to award a freekick, up stepped Martin Kizza who made no mistake to send the home capacity crowd into wild celebrations.

Express FC seemed like they’d head into the break with the lead but Julius Poloto had other ideas, the wingman broke out on the left beating Enock Walusimbi who tried to intercept him but center referee William Oloya called for a foul and awarded a penalty. Anaku dusted himself up and leveled the score on 45 minutes and send both teams to the locker room all square.

After the break though, KCCA FC stepped it up and got an early chance which they maximized, winger Noah Wafula crossed in from the right and the cross which was poorly defended found an unmarked Sadat Anaku who made no mistake slotting home on the near post to give the visitors the lead on 57 minutes.

Morley Byekwaso’s charges then took charge but not until the 75th minute when James Odoch rang the changes bringing on holding midfielder Enock Ssebagala for Yaya Mahad Kakooza and Joseph Akandwanaho for Martin Kizza. Akandwanaho’s impact was immediate as he followed through Enock Walusimbi’s long cross from the right to slot home on his first touch and level matters in the 75th minute.

Forward Erick Kambale could have won it in the 90th minute but his effort kissed the post and bounced back into play and that was just about it.

REACTIONS.

JAMES ODOCH – INTERIM MANAGER.

“We came from behind to earn a point, we had lost it in the first half because we allowed KCCA FC to use the ball more but the changes i made bringing on Etrude and Ssebagala gave us more pace, we shall now go back and prepare for our next game, away to Gaddafi FC. We want to win that game so that we get our winning touch back”.

JOSEPH AKANDWANAHO – WINGER.

“We’ve given our best today, it was a derby and KCCA FC are a good side but i believe the boys gave their. We shall take the point even though we wanted to win, we shall go back and prepare for our next opponent but personally i am happy that i scored my first goal of the league for the club, I only pray I continue performing this well”.

The draw takes Express FC to 30 points after 19 games, next up for James Odoch’s charges is the away game to Gaddafi FC on Tuesday.