Express FC Fall to Early Taremwa Brace as UPDF FC Take Command at Nakivubo
Express FC continued to struggle after falling to an early double from Pochero Derrick Taremwa that handed UPDF FC command at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo War Memorial Ground on October 15.
It was a torrid evening for defender Douglas Rwotongeyo and goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya, whose errors cost their team twice, resulting in two early goals in the 3rd and 6th minutes that handed UPDF FC an early lead.
In the first goal, both misjudged their defense from a set-piece situation, and in the end Kigonya carried Derrick Taremwa’s close-range header over the line after the ball had already crossed it.
The second goal again started with an error from Rwotongeyo to Kigonya, who conceded an avoidable corner kick, and from that situation he poorly handled Zizinga’s delivery to allow Taremwa to score again.
In just 6 minutes, Express FC were already well behind and they eventually went into halftime 2-0 down. Express FC only came close to scoring twice, but UPDF FC goalkeeper Shamran Kamya saved efforts from Abas Muluya and Steven Yiga.
Returning for the second half, coach Molly Byekwaso introduced Henry Wamala and Nicholas Jonga for Alpha Ssali and Moses Sseruyidde. The changes helped the Red Eagles stabilize and start winning free kicks in good positions and multiple corner kicks.
Forward Abas Muluya became instrumental in set-piece situations, forcing Kamya into some fine saves, with Wamala, Steven Yiga and Jonga continuing to ask questions of the UPDF FC defence, with Samson Kasozi taking the biggest responsibility.
Molly added more spark when he brought on Stewart Muteebi and Aggrey Atandu for Isa Glory Kisuule and Peter Onzima at right-back and in defensive midfield to continue pushing every player forward.
Five minutes later, in the 75th minute, the big moment arrived when Duncan Sseninde reacted quickly to a free kick, finding Wamala in the channel, who calmly scored a goal that gave Express FC belief of getting at least a point.
Kamya kept his side in the game and his biggest moment came in the 3 minutes of added time when he saved a fantastic header from substitute Herbert Asiimwe, who had come on for Isaac Wagoina. Atandu’s free-kick delivery was the last action as the game ended 2-1 in favour of UPDF FC.
UPDF FC registered their second win of the season, both coming in a row, having started with a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 loss to Entebbe UPPC FC in their first two games. The result puts UPDF FC in 9th position with 8 points from five games.
For Express FC, their 2-0 win over KCCA FC remains their only win this season in six games. They have lost three games and drawn twice to sit on the edge of the relegation zone with five points.