2024-2025 Uganda Premier League (Match day 18):
- Express 4-1 Wakiso Giants
Express Football Club recorded a comprehensive 4-1 home win over Wakiso Giants in the Uganda Premier League at Hamz Stadium on Monday night.
Like all the other matches on match day 18, there was a special moment of silence prior kick-off for the fallen hero of Vipers, Abubakar Lawal who lost his life on 24th February 2025 under mysterious circumstances.
Forward Samuel Ssenyonjo grabbed the headlines for the right reasons, scoring a hat-trick that subjected Wakiso Giants to their 9th loss in 18 outings.
Veteran winger Moses Oloya struck home a beautiful volley for Wakiso Giants’ consolation.
Ssenyonjo, a former KCCA, Soltilo Bright Stars and Wakiso Giants forward set the ball rolling with a well-struck penalty on the quarter hour mark.
The penalty came after Richard Basangwa had been tripped into the area by defender Ssemakula.
Ssenyonjo made no mistake from 12 yards, sending goalkeeper James Alitho the wrong way for the opener.
On 22 minutes, Ssenyonjo would have easily doubled his tally but he missed from close range after being set up superbly by Muhammed Senoga Kagawa.
Moments later, midfielder Ramz Kawooya on his first start since returning to the Red Eagles from Bul executed a sweet through ball for Ssenyonjo, but the forward was denied by Alitho.
Wakiso Giant’s first real threat towards the opposition was in the 35th minute when Blanchar Mulamba’s shot inside the goal area was blocked by left back Herbert Achai.
Towards the climax of the opening half, the two sides called for respective changes; goalkeeper Henry Mwebe replacing Alitho for Wakiso Giants and Ramz Kawooya paving way for John Assimwe.
The last opportunity of the opening stanza fell to Wakiso Giants when William Luwagga Kizito laid the ball for Mulamba who failed to make contact.
The Red Eagles led 1-0 by the mandatory break.
Wakiso Giants opened the second half brightly with Oloya’s free-kick curling over from 35 yards three minutes unto restart of play.
Express captain of the evening Saidi Kyeyune shot over after a blind pass from goalkeeper Mwebe in the 52nd minutes.
Ten minutes into the second half; Wakiso Giants called for a double change.
Hudson Mbalire replaced William Luwagga Kizito and Timothy Oyamo came on for Rahumat Ssenfuka.
Express missed the opportunity to make it two when Basangwa hit the cross bar on the hour mark.
Mbalire had a shot blocked by Asiimwe inside the goal area in the 63rd minute before the former headed over from close range as the Purple Sharks pushed numbers infront.
Wakiso Giants finally found the equalizer through Oloya with a volley off Mulamba cross on the right in the 65th minute.
The joy was short-lived as Express restored their lead through Basangwa’s venomous shot on the near post of goalkeeper Mwebe with twenty minutes to play.
Wakiso Giants’ right back Ambrose Arinda got cautioned by the referee for tugging down Assiimwe in the 73rd minute.
With 15 minutes to play; Wakiso Giants introduced David Bagoole and Fazil Tumwine for Oloya and Arinda respectively.
Express remained the team on mission with yet another offensive move when Basangwa curled over after being set up by the lively Asiimwe.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Mulamba shot wide via a low-drive off the weaker left foot and Mbalire curled over a free-kick set-piece in the 82nd minute.
Ssenyonjo then scored two other late goals to complete his hattrick in the 89th and first of the three added minutes (the first hat-trick at the redeveloped Hamz stadium).
A sweet victory for the Red Eagles who now make it 28 points from 18 matches, jumping over displaying URA in the 6th place.
Consequently, Wakiso Giants’ woes continue for the season with their 9th defeat in as many matches as they remain clogged in the relegation red zone.
The post Ssenyonjo stars with a hat-trick in Express’ majestic win over Wakiso Giants appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
