Uganda Premier League 2024-2025: Match Day 4 (Tuesday, 3rd October 2024)
Express 2-1 NEC
Kitara 0-1 Police
Express Football Club returned to winning ways with a 2-1 home victory over NEC on match day four of the 2024-2025 at Hamz Stadium (Nakivubo).
Geofrey Gagganga and Ronald Mawa Andabati were on target for Baker Mbowa’s coached entity inside the opening ten minutes of the game played under floodlights.
NEC replied through forward Cromwell Rwothomio in the second half to grant a tense climax to the game.
NEC kicked off the game on a high tempo as Express goalkeeper Michael Kagiri reacted quicker to collect a back pass from Derrick Ngobi as Dickson Niwamanya surged on under two minutes.
It was against the run of play that Express took the lead through Gagganga as early as the fifth minute.
The 2023 University Football League most valuable player curled home past goalkeeper Hannington Sebwalunyo from 20 yards following a poorly cleared ball from Cameroonian born defender Calvin Barni.
After the goal, NEC executed an attack but forward Cromwell Rwothomio had a shot blocked by Andabati.
On the break, Express doubled the lead thanks to Andabati’s close range finish off goalie Ssebwalunyo after Richard Basangwa’s industrious donkey work on the right flank.
Derrick Ngobi races to the ball
After 12 minutes, Express captain Alex Emmanuel Wasswa, fresh from Nigeria with Nkumba University for the All Africa University Games fouled Enock Ssebagala in the middle of the playing field and the foul was called against the former.
Ngobi defended well against Rashid Okocha as NEC fought for a goal.
Mustafa Kizza had a free-kick stroking the defensive wall in the 27th minute from a tempting position.
Sabila Chelangat with a drop ball | Credit: John Batanudde
Referee Ali Sabilla Chelangat booked NEC forward Dickson Niwamanya for a malicious foul on defender Ngobi.
Ngobi managed to return for action following close to five minutes of medication.
NEC missed the opportunity to find the equalizer when Enock Ssebaggala curled the ball over inside the goal area in the 37th minute.
NEC called for the first change of the evening when defender Barni was taken out for former Vipers, Onduparaka and Maroons defender Jacob Okao on 39 minutes.
Immediately, Okao was involved with a long ball well chest controlled by Dickson Niwamanya but the former Kigezi Home Boyz and BUL forward handled the ball for a hand-ball foul
Upon restart of play for the final 45 minutes; NEC called for a double change.
Shamir Kimwero and James Jarieko were introduced for Amir Kakomo and Dickson Niwamanya respectively.
Three minutes into the second half, Express skipper Wasswa was denied by NEC goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo from close range.
Experienced NEC midfielder Muzamiru Mutyaba curled out a NEC free-kick from 25 yards in the 55 minute.
Two minutes later, Express for a change; John Assimwe replaced Geofrey Gagganga.
In the 58th minute, NEC Captain Ibrahim Kiyemba became yet another NEC player to be cautioned for a wild lunge on the newly introduced Asiimwe.
On the hour mark, Okocha’s cross from the left was headed out by Rwothomio inside the goal area.
Charles Ssembalirwa replaced the diligent Richard Basangwa on 62 minutes.
Cromwell Rwothomio scored NEC’s equalizer | Credit: John Batanudde
Cromwell Rwothomio scored with a left footed effort inside the goal area of Express after beating defender Zziwa in the 63rd minute to give the visitors hope.
Express reacted with a change; Alpha Thierry Ssali replaced Rashid Kawawa and at the same time NEC pushed on Marvin Kavuma for Okocha.
Kavuma took over the NEC arm-band from defender Kiyemba.
NEC pushed more numbers up-front, desperately seeking for the much needed equalizer.
Express left back Kizza was booked for a foul on Geriga Atendele with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Skipper Kavuma shot at goal with goalkeeper Kagiri having a routine collection.
It was NEC again as Enock Ssebaggala shot from distance with Kagiri in the right position.’
The cross bar came to Express’ rescue when James Jarieko’s powerful header hit the upright with two minutes of regulation time.
Express goalkeeper Michael Kagiri got booked for time wasting as the minutes ticked away.
The Red Eagles held on the building pressure and the final whistle by Sabila was definitely a big relief.
This was Express’ second win of the season in four matches following their slim 1-0 triumph over newcomers Mbale Heroes on the opening match day at the same venue.
The Red Eagles had fallen 0-3 on the road at Kitende against Vipers before playing to a 1-all home draw with Mbarara City on match day three.
NEC suffered their first defeat in four matches having won their first three games of the season; against Vipers (3-1), Kitara (1-2) and UPDF (1-0).
Express XI Vs NEC | Credit: John Batanudde
Team Line Ups:
Express XI: Kagiri (G.K), Zziwa, Mustafa Kizza, Isa Lumu, Derrick Ngobi, Emmanuel Wasswa Alex, Saidi Kyeyune, Geofrey Gagganga, Kawawa, Richard Basangwa, Ronald Andabati
Changes:
57’ John Assimwe ON, Geofrey Gagganga OUT
63’ Charles Ssembalirwa ON, Richard Basangwa OUT
72’ Alpha Thierry Ssali ON, Rashid Kawawa OUT
Subs Not Used: Hafizi, Kalyowa, Dawson Mafumu, Ssebandeke, Mbaziira, Kimera, Muwanguzi, Ssenfuma
NEC XI vs Express | Credit: John Batanudde
NEC XI: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K), Geriga Atendele, Ibrahim Kiyemba (Captain), Calvin Barni, Odongo, Amir Kakomo, Enock Ssebaggala, Dickson Niwamanya, Rashid Okocha, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Cromwell Rwothomio
Changes:
38’ Jacob Okao ON, Calvin Barni Out
46’ James Jarieko ON, Dickson Niwamanya OUT
46’ Shamir Kimwero ON, Amir Kakomo OUT
72’ Marvin Kavuma ON, Rashid Okocha OUT
Subs Not Used: Samson Kiirya (G.K), Benjamin Ochan (GK), Bayiga, Kulanga, Allan Mugalu
Express and NEC captains with the match officials before kick off at Hamz Stadium (Nakivubo) | Credit: John Batanudde
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