After going more than eight seasons with tasting league success and surviving relegation in the past two seasons, Express Football Club bounced backed in style to win the 2020/2021 Star Times Uganda Premier League under the stewardship of Wasswa Bbosa who was part of the technical team (Assistant Coach) when the team last won league silver-ware in 2012 under Sam Ssibwa Bamweyana.
Express were declared league title winner of the 2020/2021 season after FUFA called off the season with 3 to 4 games left on the fixture. By that time, Express was on top of the league table with 58 points one better than second placed URA Football Club and third placed Vipers Sports Club who had 56 points.
Last season, the Red Eagles were amazing on and off the field. On the field, they played their best ever football in as many as ten seasons; playing 26 games; winning 17 games, drawing 2 games and losing only twice.
The “Mukwano Gw’abanji” team was also good offensively and defensively; scoring 44 goals and letting in only 14 with a record 13 clean sheets.
Express picked vital points over teams that were considered as the top title contenders; 6 points off URA FC (3-1, 1-0); 4 points off Vipers SC (1-1, 1-0); 1 point off KCCA (1-1, Return leg not played) and 4 points off SC Villa (0-0, 1-0).
Such results were just clear indicators that Express were destined to be league winners
One major thing that played a part in Express FC’s turnaround was the coach’s enthusiasm and leadership that gave birth to leaders and warriors on the pitch who finally delivered the 7th Express FC league title.
He had a positive effect on the player mentalities and boosted their morale, but so was the good run of form. It was evident to see a vast change in many players, the change that Express so desperately needed for some time
All the Express players were extremely amazing but these 7 players were the absolute warriors for Express who came at a time when they we really needed.
Starting in goal, Mathias Muwanga was always on top of his game no wonder he managed to keep 13 clean shetts and eventually named the goalkeeper of the season; winning the “Golden Glove”.
Next was Murushid Jjuko in centre back. His experience and leadership in Express FC’s back-four line-up was the reason why Express FC conceded only 13 goals and kept a remarkable 13 clean sheets.
In defense, Jjuko had back-up from Arthur Kiggundu on the right and Enock Walusimbi on the left. Kiggundu and Walusimbi both played their primary defensive role well and spared some time to help the team in offensive.
And the list of warriors is completed by these three forwards; Erick Kambale, George Senkaba and Godfrey Lwesibawa. This trio was the source of most the Express goals in either giving assists or finding the back of the net themselves.
Muwanga, Jjuko, Kiggundu, Walusimbi, Kambale, Ssenkaba and Lwesibawa bought in real leadership and have became the proper warriors for Express, something the team needed, and something that is really helped the team achieve the 2020/2021 Star Times Uganda Premier League title.
