EXPRESS FC CRUSH OUT OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
Uganda Premier League club Express Football Club bowed out of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after a spirited fight against Al Merrikh of Sudan at the Al-Ubayyid Shikan Castle Stadium in Obeid City on Sunday. 19th. September. 2021.
Express FC went to Sudan with a 2-1 advantage and needed only a draw to advance to the next qualification stage but had to go out on the away goals’ rule after a 2-2 on the goal aggregate.
Express FC were in high spirits and their dream in the Champions League campaign was very bright going into the match on Sunday however, Wasswa Bossa’s boys couldn’t stand the pressing Al Merrikh side who needed a win with only one goal at home to advance to the last qualification huddle before the CAF Champions’ League group stages.
Express FC showed all signs that they needed a positive result to help them sail through to the next round and this was evident when Wasswa Bbosa tried to change his game plan; pulling off Godfery Lwesibawa for Charles Musiige as early as the 35rd minute.
The Red Eagles came out all guns blazing in the first half and indeed their game plan of ensuring that they don’t concede went on well through the first 45 minutes.
With only 12 minutes into the second half, Express FC continued to show intension of wanting to kill off the game and this was evident when Muzamiru Mutyaba in midfield was pulled off for a move advanced forward in George Senkaaba to try and look for that one goal.
Moments later in the 63rd minute, the goal almost came for Express FC however, Martin Kizza missed placed his opportunity; shooting wide.
The Red Eagles looked formidable in midfield and defense and managed to stop the Sudanese who were trying to break them down on the counter; however, with 17 minutes left on the clock, Al Marrikh got on the score sheet through Ahmed Hamid.
In response, Express FC threw on another forward in Joseph Akandwanaho in the 76th in the place of defender Issa Lumu but still failed to find the back of the net and thus failed agonizingly short of an historic return to the table of men of African Club football; a stage they last played at in 1997.
Al Marrikh will now play Zanaco Football Club of Zambia and the winner over two legs will be drawn into the group stages of the 2021/2022 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
Express FC starting XI: Joel Mutakubwa, Enock Walusimbi, Arthur Kiggundu, Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, John Byamukama, Mahad Yaya Kakooza, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Eric Kambale, Godffrey Lwesibawa and Martin Kizza.
Subs: Denis Otim, Denis Mubuya, ivan mayanja, George Senkaaba, Charles Musiige, Daniel Shebene, abel Eturude, Joseph Akandwanaho.
By Joseph Mary Ssempiira www.sportznow.ug writer.