CECAFA Kagame Cup
Express FC vs KMKM FC
Azam Complex Stadium, Dar-es-salaam
Tuesday, 10-08-2021 @7pm
Express FC will take on KMKM FC in the first semi final of the 2021 CECAFA Kagame Cup on Tuesday, August 10th.
Express who finished top of group A, are the slight favourites to progress further after impressing in their group games.
They defeated Atlabara FC (1-0) and Young Africans (3-1), either side of a 1-1 draw with Young Africans.
Following a while without action, the Red Eagles looked to be struggling with fitness issues but in the final group game, they seem to have found their groove.
Usually very fast starters, they will hope to strike early, once again, like they have done in all three games so far.
Express FC will be without winger Godfrey Lwesibawa who is suspended. Lwesibawa received his second yellow card of the competition in the win over Yanga on Saturday. Striker George Ssenkaba is expected to return upfront with Eric Kambale slotting into the place of Lwesibawa.
The Red Eagles welcome back vice captain Abel Etrude who has completed his two-game suspension following the red card he received against Atlabara in the opening game. With Etrude available, it remains to be seen if Bbosa will slot him back into the midfield at the expense of John Byamukama who has been decent so far.
Muzamir Mutyaba who has scored two goals in two starts, so far, is expected to maintain his slot at the tip of a three-man midfield.
Captain Enock Walusimbi got injured against Yanga and was replaced by Denis Mubuya but news coming in from the camp indicates that the skipper will be fit enough to start on Tuesday.
Express must be worry of a KMKM side that have lost just a single game at this year’s competition.
Coincidentally, the loss was a 1-0 defeat to Uganda’s other representative, KCCA in their second group B fixture.
KMKM’s 3-2 victory over Azam on Saturday highlighted how good they can be going forward as they created chances for fun. But the manner in which they conceded the two goals also posed questions about their back-line.
They will be hoping they can replicate their groove going forward and also put up a decent defensive showing against an energetic Express side.
Express are hoping to become the fourth Ugandan side after SC Villa (3), KCCA (2) and Police FC (1), to win the CECAFA Kagame Cup.
The other semi final will be played between Azam FC and Big Bullets FC on Wednesday.p
