Nelson Ssenkatuka (yellow) equalised for Bright Stars. FUFA
Sunday, April 28
*Bright Stars 1-1 Express FC
Monday, April 29
*Kyetume Vs Proline, 3:00 PM
Express FC coach George Ssemwogerere has blamed the poor playing surface at Champions Stadium (Mwererwe) for his side’s draw with Bright Stars.
Express and Bright Stars played to a one all draw in the first leg of the Stanbic Uganda Cup semifinals in 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 in Wankulukuku.
The Red Eagles failed to capitalise on a numerical advantage when the hosts’ Andrew Kaggwa was sent off for a rough tackle on Arthur Kiggundu as Bright Stars played with ten men for about the last 20 minutes of the game.
“I thank my players for the fight, because when you look at this pitch, its not favourable for playing but it just favours a fitness team to win a game,” said Coach Sim after the draw. “My boys tried to win a game, and the referee tried to contain the game although the tempo was high.”
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, and we will perform well.”
When asked to comment on Express getting an away goal, and Bright Stars ‘soft’ penalty, Ssemwogerere said:
“I can’t look at the that goal at the moment, because I will just attack them when they come to Wankulukuku.
“It is sad that we dont have the VAR but in my personal judgement It was not a penalty, but the referee is the final man.”
The other semi final will see Proline FC visit fellow Big league team Kyetume FC in Mukono on Monday.
The Red Eagles will return to action on Wednesday against the same opponents Bright Stars at the Betway Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku on UPL matchday 29 before visiting Onduparaka on Saturday 4th May the last day of the Uganda Premier League.
The second leg against Bright Stars will be played on Thursday 9th May at Wankulukuku.
