Stanbic Uganda Cup
Semi final, first leg Results
Bright Stars 1-1 Express FC
Kyetume 1-2 Proline
Express FC Head Coach George Ssemwogerere is optimistic his side will get to the finals of this season’s Stanbic Uganda Cup following a 1-1 away at Bright Stars on Sunday in the semi final, first leg in Mwererwe.
Ssemwogerere believes that they would have won the first leg encounter had it not been the ‘poor playing surface’ at Champions Stadium (Mwererwe).
Nelson Ssenkatuka’s penalty, two minutes after Michael Birungi had given Express the lead, gave Bright Stars hope ahead of the second leg on May 9 at Betway Muteesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.
The wasteful Red Eagles failed to capitalise on a numerical advantage after the hosts’ Andrew Kaggwa was sent off for a rough tackle on Arthur Kiggundu as Bright Stars played with ten men for about 20 last minutes of the game.
“I thank my players for the fight because when you look at this pitch, it’s not favourable at all for playing unless the team is extra fit. My boys tried to win a game and the referee tried to contain the game though the tempo was high,” noted Ssemwogerere.
Express will rue missed opportunities after Disan Galiwango and Brian Umony were all denied by veteran shot stopper Hamuza Muwonge.
Tony Odur replaced Omony, Charles Lubega and Ibrahim Kayiwa also came in for Express but couldn’t find the winner.
“The pitch is bumpy and that is why they missed those chances but I am sure that it will be a different case when they come to Wankulukuku.
can’t look at that (away) goal at the moment because I will attack them when they come to Wankulukuku. It is sad that we don’t have VAR system but in my personal assessment, it was not a penalty. The referee is however the final man,” added Ssemowgerere, who believes the result favors them ahead of the return leg at home. The other semi final saw Proline playing to a 2-1 win away at Kyetume on Monday in Nakisunga.
Meanwhile, Express will return to action on Wednesday against the same opponents (Bright Stars) at the Betway Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku for their second last Premier league game of the season before visiting Onduparaka on Saturday. May 4, five days before the return leg of Stanbic Uganda Cup semi final.
