The Red Eagles lost their first game of the season away to Mbarara City in a painful way. We controlled the game from start to finish but lack of concentration in defense  and failure to capitalize on our chances cost us dearly.

Express started the brighter side with the three man attack of Odur, Birungi and Kambale constantly threatening. However it was the hosts who took the lead. A teasing ball beat our defense to Karim Ndugwa in the 13th minutes and he slotted past a helpless Kyamera in our goal.

The host’s lead lasted a few minutes as Express who were the better side equalised through Mubarak Nsubuga. Odur whipped in a corner and the youngster leaped highest to head past Ali Kimera in Mbarara City goal to level matters

Express had good chances through Odur and Kambale but failed to burry them. The host got a corner which was taken and headed away by Captain Shafiq Kakeeto unfortunately it fell on Mbarara’s Ivan Eyamu who shot first time and caught Kyamera by surprise after beating the defense to give Mbarara a surprise lead.

The first half ended 2-1 in favour of Mbarara. Express were forced into a change after Kayiwa was taken off with a head injury sustained after a knock on the head by the Mbarara defender. He was replaced by Kigonya.

Few minutes into the second half Mbarara surprisingly got a third goal thru Hillary Mukundane after we failed again to defend well a freekick after Disan Galiwango was adjudged for a foul against a Mbarara City player. A freekick was brought in the area beating the defense and found the tall defender lurking behind and looped his header past Kyamera to make it 3-1 with less than an hour played.

Kefa made a change bringing on Male Joel in the place of Eric Kambale but still there was no change in the scoreline. The Red Eagles continued to press but Mbarara were determined to protect their lead.

Mbarara City coach Livingstone Mbabazi made some changes brining on experienced Asuman Alishe, Methodius Barssey who made them more composed in possession and running down the clock.

Kefa brought in Nasir Mbabali in the place of Mubarak Nsubuga with only 10 minutes to go and had an impact with his long throws into the hosts area but still we failed to capitalize on them despite causing a defensive mixing the the area of Mbarara City

Experienced Ali Kimera was also immense in the Mbarara City goal making a couple of match wining saves including the acrobatic one in the closing moments of the game when many thought he was already beaten but went down well and pushed it off his line to a corner.

Express had some shouts for penalties in the opposite side’s box but the referee waved play on on all accounts. The game ended 3-1 in favour of Mbarara City

What next for Express?

The Red Eagles will take a 9-day hiatus due to the international break and will be back in action on Tuesday 16th against Police FC at StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo.

© 2018 Express Football Club. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to expressfc.co.ug as the source.