Two of Express FC’s most reliable players in goalkeeper Denis Otim and forward Joseph Akandwanaho are absent as the Red Eagles seek to return to winning ways against Maroons in the Uganda Premier League at Luzira Prisons Grounds on Friday.

Otim is out due to suspension having accumulated three yellow cards whereas Akandwanaho is out with malaria. Defenders Andrew Kaggwa and Faruku Katongole are the other absentees for the same reasons respectively.

“We shall miss a number of players due to illness and suspension,” Express head coach James Odoch revealed ahead of the game before adding.

“Otim and Kaggwa are suspended while Akandwanaho and Katongole have malaria so they will not be available.”

“However, the rest of the available players trained very well and are ready for the game against Maroons which I believe will not be an easy game.”

“Maroons is a stubborn team especially when they are playing from home but we also want to return to winning way have not won in the last five games.”

“The players are motivated having registered a point against the defending champions Vipers and we shall build on that and try to defend well and score goals to win tomorrow’s game,” he added.

As Express drew goalless with Vipers at Wankulukuku on Tuesday, on the other hand, Maroons also drew with Onduparaka FC in a 2-2 stalemate in Arua on Sunday.

When the two sides meet during the 2019/20 season before Maroons were relegated, Express won 1-0 in the second leg in Luzira while the first leg had ended in a 2-2 draw at Wankulukuku.

On the current UPL log, Express are a position and a point better off with 15 points in ninth after 12 games while Maroons are 10th with 14 points.

Maroons captain David Ndihabwe is back from injury to face his former employers Express on Friday.

In the other two games to be played on the same day, KCCA will host Busoga United at Lugogo while Onduparaka will visit Blacks Power in Lira.