Friday, September 13
*Express FC Vs SC Villa – 4PM
(Betway Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku)

All work will come to a standstill this Friday as the two Countries biggest rivals – Express FC and SC Villa – clash at Wankulukuku on matchday five of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.

Make no mistake, this is (was) the greatest derby in the region despite a recent shift in power that has seen KCCA FC and Vipers enjoy recent success.

The game has been marred by fights on the pitch and in the stands by the fans as hence stones are pelted from one end to the other.

Notably, in 1998, the game between Express FC and SC Villa to mark Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s 43rd birthday was halted and the Kabaka had to be whisked away for safety after Nakivubo had turned into a mere war zone in swift seconds.

The incident arrived after Mukasa had cancelled Maurice Sunguti’s opener in the 24th minute.

Later that year in November, a league decider between the same teams was also halted as bottles, stones, flew the air as fans complained of poor officiating.

In 2009 at Wankulukuku, Police was forced to fire bullets and tear gas to disperse rowdy fans at Wankulukuku in a Kakungulu cup quarter final. There was an abandoned game in 2014, similar incidents occured in 2015 and that has been the song.

This started right from the birth. SC Villa, called Nakivubo Blue then, broke away from Express FC after the Red Eagles was banned by Governor of Province Col. Abdallah Nasur.

All officials from Express FC joined Nakivubo blue which was a feeder club to Express and it gave rise to the club before Idi Amini Dada lifted the ban on Express.

Later in 1979, Nakivubo Boys chairman Patrick Kawooya (formerly at Express as a treasurer) in a joint meeting held to merge both clubs as one, rejected the idea which left many fans divided. Later on, Nakivubo boys changed name to Villa Jogoo and moved to a ground in Nsambya which was later named Villa park. And like the say, the rest is history.

This special derby can make or break a team’s season and will play a significant role in both teams coaches – George Ssimwogerere (Express FC) and Edward Kaziba (SC Villa).

Current Form

This comes very early into the season – on matchday five.

SC Villa are top of the log with seven points after being awarded three points and as many goals from their forfeited game against Proline FC who refused to honour the fixture at Lugogo on matchday three.

The Jogoos who lost to Kyetume FC in the league opener, beat Mbarara and picked a point against Police FC in a one all draw.

The hosts on the other hand, have collected four points – They beat Mbarara 3-2 in their last engagement. Express drew with Bright Stars, lost against BUL FC and Onduparaka FC.

Express FC will bank on their captain Disan Galiwango who was man of the match against Mbarara after getting involved in all the three goals but George Ssimwogerere will demand goals from Frank Kalanda, Edirisa Kaye and Frank Ssenyondo.

The visitors on the other hand, will hope that target man Bashir Mutanda finds his scoring boots against their top and bitter rivals.

Recent Meetings

2018/19
Express 1-1 SC Villa
SC Villa 2-0 Express

2017/18
Express FC 0-0 SC Villa
SC Villa 1-0 Express

2016/17
Express FC 1-0 SC Villa
SC Villa 3-2 Express

2015/16
Express FC 0-0 SC Villa
SC Villa 3-2 Express FC

2014/15
Express 0-3 SC Villa
SC Villa 3-0 Express