Stanbic Uganda Cup
Semi final, first leg
Sunday, 3pm
Bright Stars vs Express
Monday, 3pm
Kyetume vs Proline, Nakisunga
Express FC Head Coach George Ssemwogerere has branded Bright Stars FC’s Mwererwe grounds a ‘potato garden’ as the two teams prepare to face-off at the same grounds this Sunday in this season’s Stanbic Uganda Cup semi final, first leg. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday at Katikati restaurant, Ssemwogerere suggested that, if possible, the two legs be shifted to either Namboole stadium, St Mary’s stadium, Kitende or StarTimes stadium, Lugogo that have better playing turfs. “The person who passed this Mwererwe (Champions) stadium needs to be investigated. This is not a stadium fit to host such games at this level,” noted Ssemwogerere, whose side ejected BUL FC at the previous stage. The former Express captain also believes that history, as record joint winners (alongside KCCA) favors his team among the last four. “We have very rich history in Uganda Cup and we must fight to win it. These are average teams we are facing and the good thing is that the return leg is at Betway Muteesa II stadium, Wankulukuku. Ssemwogerere also insists that winning Uganda Cup does not safe guard his job, but it is a motivational factor to the team which can also help him identify the right players if the team qualifies for continental football in the subsequent season. “Our club chairman asked for the Uganda Cup title after our league loss at KCCA and he is ready to find resources for continental action thus need to win the title,” said Ssemwogerere, who claims to have won Express the Uganda Cup (Kakungulu Cup) title which is most attributed to Kefa Kisala. “That is how you get lost and give that title to Kefa yet he was my assistant. I left for Germany just two weeks and they played the final that they won. Kefa was my assistant and how could he win it and not the head coach?” asked Ssemwogerere. Bright Stars assistant coach Paul Kiwanuka, in reply to Ssemwogerere, said that the Express tactician had already shown signs of ‘kicks of a dying horse’ by putting his concentration on the Mwererwe pitch. “We have played on far worse grounds at the previous rounds in remote areas. This is a national tournament with all levels of clubs participating and you do not expect the best facilities. Ssemwogerere has already shown signs of fears and has let out what he will attribute Sunday’s loss to too. We ejected URA from Namboole stadium where Ssemwogerere wants and he failed to win from there; neither has he won from Kitende or Lugogo and I wonder how he asks for the three grounds! We are going for a win and go to Wankulukuku with a comfortable lead to protect,” noted Kiwanuka. Whereas Express are joint record 10-time winners, Bright Stars are at this stage of the tournament for the first time and Kiwanuka has high confidence that they can clinch their first title.
