As Express FC is in the middle of a struggle, having high testing moments through the seasons, now it seems to have set the ground to spring back the honour of the team.
On 16 August 2024, the oldest football club in Uganda marked its return to the oldest football ground in the country.
In the game of return, Express FC drew 0-0 with AFC Leopards of Kenya and the game had positives to pick.
Express FC, under a young technical team led by Baker Mbowa, assembled a young team mixed with a few senior players like Isa Lumu and returning captain from KCCA FC Emmanuel Waswa.
The team didn’t get enough with the return of Wasswa as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher but new signing Godfrey Gaganga posted a performance to eyemark.
In the central attacking access, the player who just joined from Kampala regional side CATIDA FC was key in the creative role of the side.
Despite Express FC was not at a reasonable shine, Gaganga was playing like a player full of experience at the club.
He and fans’ darling Alpha Thierry Ssali had a few minutes together on the pitch but throughout the game, it was the time when the red eagle became unplayable for AFC Leopards.
Alpha started on the bench to come on at the restart of the game to have a few good shots as one hits the post and also on the day he was good a ball carrier toward the opponent’s defensive lines.
Ssali who joined the club last season had a good season in the sinking team as he managed some goals which ground factors to raise his confidence.
The only minus he had last season was that when off the ball, Alpha always was not part of the team in fighting for possession regain but against the Kenyan he looked different as he aimed to track back to his side’s 18-yard box.
Though the two were not only the players at good performance but they were above.
At the mark of full-time head coach Mbowa was optimistic over his side in rebuild
“As Express FC we know our struggles that is why we opted to take the path of recruiting young players and I believe it is moving on a positive note. I am building this team to operate beyond my stay that is why our target is not immediately with this season”
The game came in a time less than a month to the kickoff of 2024-2025 UPL and thus Mbowa has enough time for the team to improve on their weaknesses as they were less in front of goal where they operated with another youngster Conrad Ssenjogera though he was fine with his play.
Express FC will play their league opening game on 14 September hosting new entrants Mbale Heroes at Hamz Stadium.
