Ahead of the Kampala Derby between rivals KCCA FC and Express FC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Friday, each team has a different ambition.
KCCA will be seeking to return top of the 15-team UPL log with a win and on the other hand, Express will be focused on avoiding a fourth consecutive defeat.
Coming into Friday’s encounter, the Kasasiro Boys have won three back-to-back games while the Red Eagles have lost thrice on the bounce.
“We know how important this game is to everybody including our opponents,” KCCA head coach Morley Byekwaso told the media in his pre-match press conference at Lugogo on Thursday.
“It’s a Kampala Derby and it comes with a lot of excitement, pressure, and expectations. It’s always tough to play against Express but we want to win and return to the summit.”
“The situation they are in is unpleasant meaning we should be more careful with them because they are like a wounded lion and I know that they will put up a strong performance,” he added.
On the other hand, Express head coach James Odoch acknowledged that KCCA have a good coach and players and have had quite a good season so far but his side can’t afford to lose a fourth consecutive game.
“I know how good a team KCCA is with brilliant players the likes of Allan Okello and Moses Waiswa and equally a fantastic coach Byekwaso but we shall be looking for maximum points.”
“I must admit that we are not in a good situation having lost our last consecutive three games it is indeed a poor run for such a big club.”
“In training this week we have tried so much to rectify the mistakes we have been doing especially in defense.”
“The players have been responding well to the tactics and I am hopeful we shall win because losing a fourth straight game will not be good for us,” he noted.
Currently, on the standings, KCCA is placed third with 22 points whereas Express is positioned ninth with 14 points after both teams have played 10 games.
There has been no winner in this league contest for the past two seasons with all four games ending in draws meaning both Byekwaso and Odoch have never won against each other.
Byekwaso has all his players available for selection while Odoch will notably be without Arthur Kiggundu and Allan Kayiwa while Daniel Shabene is back from suspension.
