The reigning Uganda Premier League champions Express FC shrugged off their eight year long wait to return to the CECAFA Kagame Cup with a nervy 1-0 victory over South Sudan’s Atlabara courtesy of a penalty conversion by talisman Eric Kambale.
Despite the fact that the Red Eagle’s assistant captain Abel Eturude saw red in minute 69 for a challenge that was described as nusty on Ernandez Terra. Wasswa Bbosa’s side hung in to deliver their first victory in the competition.
While addressing the media following this morale boosting result, the unpretentious Bbosa seemed a bit too honest in his assessment of the game and also highlighted their ambitions in the tournament.
“Our ultimate target coming into this game was to deliver three points nevermind that we didn’t play the best football out there. That said though, we need to improve on the brand of our football in the next game.” Said the enigmatic gaffer.
He would continue to describe their performance saying:
“We didn’t look that bad out there but our fitness levels are still low considering that the players took a very long rest back home and we as a team have only had five days of training. We shall get there though.”
The team captain Enock Walusimbi also engaged the media in the aftermath of that special victory and just like his manager, the skipper wasn’t shy in admitting their pragmatic approach to the game.
“We certainly did more defending than attack but that might simply be because of our fitness levels. Going forward though, our forward players will give us more as we grow into the tournament.”
He would further speak highly about his side’s ambition to progress further in the tournament and favourably compete for the holy grail. Why wouldn’t they, they are reigning league champions after all.
The Red Eagles will return to action on Wednesday evening against Big Bullet from Malawi who drew their opener 1-1 with Tanzanian Young Africans in their opening fixture.
Express opened a lead in Group A following their three points in the opening game and will be eyeing for a win in order to seal qualification to the next round with one game to spare.
