Express FC

Express Football Club

Full name	Express Football Club
Nickname(s)	Red Eagles, Square Pass, Mukwano Gwa bangi
Founded	1957;67 years ago (1957)
Ground	Mutesa II Stadium
Capacity	35,000
Chairman	Counsel Kiryowa Kiwanuka [1]
League	Uganda Premier League
2023–24	10th
Website	Club website
Home colours

Express Football Club (abbreviated as Express) is a Ugandan professional football club from Kampala. The club plays home games at the Muteesa II Wankulukuku Stadium. ^[2]

History

Express FC is popularly referred to by the club fans as the Red Eagles and has also been known as the Express Sports Club. ^[2] The club is one of the oldest football clubs in Uganda, having been founded in October 1957 by managers of the Uganda Express Newspapers. The main architect of the club's foundation was Jolly Joe Kiwanuka, the owner of the newspaper, who was ably supported by Paul Ssengendo, Hannington Kiwanuka, Dr. Banabas Kiwanuka, Gaster Nsubuga and Bishop Dr. Dunstan Nsubuga. ^{[3] [4]}

The Red Eagles were among the first Ugandan clubs to use football boots and since the club was revived in 1979 they have ever been relegated from the top-tier league. ^[5] They are the only Super League side that has never featured in the promotional mini leagues. Hassan Mubiru finished the club and league's top scorer for three consecutive seasons from 2001 to 2003.

In total Express FC has won six league championships and ten Uganda Cup titles with the 'double' (league & cup winners) being achieved in 1995.

Express Football Club Players in the new jerseys clad with the BetSure logo upon their three-year sponsorship deal

League history

Express joined the Kampala and District Football League (KDFL) and by 1964 had become a leading force in the competition by winning Division One championship, with the club's leading scorer Ali Kitonsa netting 54 goals in 18 appearances. In 1968–69 the club participated in the inaugural season of the National League First Division, finishing in fourth position.

Express Football personnel dressed up in their new training kits clad with the BetSure logo, celebrating the parties' three-year sponsorship deal.

The Red Eagles won their first Uganda National League championship title in 1974 and repeated the feat the following season in 1975. In the 1977 season Express defeated the Army side Simba FC 2–0 in a crucial league match and were subsequently banned for allegedly being involving in anti-government activities, by the Governor of the Central Province, Col. Abdallah Nasur, who was unhappy about his side's loss. In 1979 the ban was lifted after the regime of Idi Amin had ended and Express returned to the National League for the 1980 season. ^[6]

The Red Eagles brief interlude from National League football had lasting consequences as it gave rise to the development of its youth side Nakivubo Boys. All officials of Express turned to Nakivubo Boys and engineered their new team to become a footballing force in Uganda. Nakivubo Boys changed its name to Nakivubo Villa and then later changed its name to Sports Club Villa. ^{[3] [4]}

It was not until the 1993 season that Express won the Super League championship and there followed the most successful period in the club's history with further league titles in 1995 and 1996. Then a match fixing scandal involving Express' arch rival Villa interrupted this successful period. The scandal climaxed in 2002–03 season. and at the end of this season seriously tainting Ugandan football with Villa scoring 22 goals past Akol FC and then going on to take league title on goal difference from Express. ^[7]

Express FC players in the new jerseys clad with Betsure logo upon their three year sponsorship deal.

Over the last ten years the club's league performance has diminished although in 2011–12 the Red Eagles secured the Super League championship title once more by finishing one point above Bunamwaya SC. The following season in 2012–13 the club finished in 11th place, their lowest top tier position. In 2018 a fundraising campaign was held in order to help save the team from relegation. ^[5] Express barely survived relegation in the 2017–18 season, ensuring their spot only after defeating bottom club Masavu 1–0 in the final game of the season. ^[8] Their 13th-place finish became their lowest finish in the top flight.

Cups

In contrast to their league performances, Express have been the most successful club in the Ugandan Cup winning the competition on 10 occasions in 1985, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2002–03, 2006 and 2006–07. They have also made numerous appearances in African cup competitions, including one appearance in the CAF Champions League, six appearances in the African Cup of Champions Clubs, two appearances in the CAF Confederation Cup, two appearances in the CAF Cup and five appearances in the CAF Cup Winners' Cup. In 1995 the Red Eagles reached the semi-finals of the African Cup of Champions Clubs before going out 2–1 on aggregate to South African club, Orlando Pirates, the eventual champions. In addition the club has twice finished runners-up in the CECAFA Clubs Cup, the regional club competition covering East and Central Africa, in 1994 and 1995. Another success was winning the East African Hedex Super Cup in 2001–02.

Current squad

This is the current squad for the 2023 - 2024 squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK   UGA Denis Otim — GK   UGA Ali Kimera — GK   UGA Ali Kimera — DF   UGA Samuel Ssenkoomi — DF   UGA Arthur Kiggundu — DF   UGA Denis Mubuya — DF   UGA Farouk Katongole — DF   UGA Kevin Ssekimbegga — DF   UGA Isa Muzeeyi Lumu — DF   UGA Isa Muzeeyi Lumu — DF   UGA Isa Muzeeyi Lumu — DF   UGA Isa Muzeeyi Lumu — MF   UGA Noah Ssemakula — MF   UGA Emmanuel Wasswa (On loan from Kampala City Council FC) — MF   UGA Abubakar Kasule — MF   UGA Daniel Shabene — MF   UGA Muzamiru Mutyaba — MF   UGA Muzamiru Mutyaba — MF   UGA Ivan Mayanja — MF   UGA Marvin Oshaba — MF   UGA Yusuf Ssozi — MF   UGA Yusuf Ssozi — MF   UGA Yusuf Ssozi — FW   UGA Alpha Thierry Ssali (Joined from Proline FC) — FW   UGA Mustapha Kiragga — FW   UGA Richard Bbosa — FW   UGA Richard Bbosa — FW   UGA Richard Bbosa — FW   UGA Richard Bbosa — FW   UGA Richard Bbosa

Record in the top tier

Season Tier League Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA Pts 1968–69 1 Uganda National First Division 4th 14 8 2 4 32 17 18 1969 1 Uganda National First Division 2nd 18 12 2 4 64 24 26 1970 1 Uganda National First Division 4th 10 6 1 3 22 13 13 1971 1 Uganda National First Division 4th 14 7 2 5 20 20 16 1972 Competition abandoned 1973 Competition abandoned 1974 1 Uganda National League 1st 14 9 4 1 29 12 22 Champions 1975 1 Uganda National League 1st 18 11 5 2 35 15 27 Champions 1976 1 Uganda National League 2nd 22 16 2 4 47 14 34 1977 1 Uganda National League Expelled 1978–79 Not permitted to participate 1980 1 Uganda National League 5th 30 14 6 10 46 41 34 1981 1 Uganda National League 3rd 32 15 9 8 63 37 39 1982 1 Uganda Super League 3rd 18 9 6 3 32 20 24 1983 1 Uganda Super League 4th 28 16 5 7 54 39 37 1984 1 Uganda Super League 3rd 30 14 9 7 49 34 37 1985 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 26 19 3 4 50 23 41 1986 1 Uganda Super League 8th 28 9 9 10 25 28 27 1987 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 21 11 8 2 38 14 30 1988 1 Uganda Super League Not available 1989 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 22 14 7 1 37 21 35 1990 1 Uganda Super League 4th 22 11 4 7 26 17 26 1991 1 Uganda Super League 4th 20 13 5 2 39 10 31 1992 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 26 17 7 2 43 19 41

Season Tier League Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA Pts 1993 1 Uganda Super League 1st 28 20 7 1 60 15 47 Champions 1994 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 28 20 5 3 64 14 65 1995 1 Uganda Super League 1st 28 24 2 2 73 16 74 Champions 1996 1 Uganda Super League 1st 30 23 6 1 61 15 75 Champions 1997 1 Uganda Super League 3rd 30 22 6 2 68 18 72 1998 1 Uganda Super League Nile SL Serie A 2nd 21 13 5 3 44 17 44 1999 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 38 28 8 2 85 15 92 2000 1 Uganda Super League 3rd 30 20 5 5 53 24 65 2001 1 Uganda Super League 3rd 28 14 7 7 37 25 49 2002 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 28 21 3 4 62 20 66 2002–03 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 27 23 3 1 55 9 72 2004 1 Uganda Super League 3rd 29 16 9 4 47 20 57 2005 1 Uganda Super League Group C 1st 8 5 2 1 10 4 17 Qualified for KO phase - reached semi-finals 2006 1 Uganda Super League 3rd 28 15 9 4 32 16 54 2006–07 1 Uganda Super League 9th 32 8 15 9 22 30 39 2007–08 1 Uganda Super League 6th 34 12 15 7 30 20 51 2008–09 1 Uganda Super League 8th 34 14 11 9 28 24 53 2009–10 1 Uganda Super League 2nd 34 21 9 4 44 15 72 2010–11 1 Uganda Super League 7th 26 9 10 7 18 14 37 2011–12 1 Uganda Super League 1st 28 15 9 4 39 21 54 Champions 2012–13 1 Uganda Super League 11th 30 8 12 10 31 31 36 2013–14 1 Uganda Super League 2020–21 1 Uganda Premier League 1st 26 17 7 2 44 13 58 Champions [9]

^[10]

African cups history

Season	Competition	Round	Club	1st leg	2nd leg	Aggregate
1975	African Cup of Champions Clubs	First round	Horsed FC	1–0	0–0	1–0
		Second round	Ghazl Al-Mehalla	1–1	0–1	1–2
1976	African Cup of Champions Clubs	First round	Caïman Douala	1–0	0–1	1–1 (4–3 p.)
		Second round	Enugu Rangers	0–0	2–2	2–2 (ag.)
1986	African Cup Winners' Cup	First round	Al Ahly	0–2	1–0	1–2
1989	African Cup of Champions Clubs	First round	Mbabane Highlanders FC	4–0	1–2	5–2
		Second round	Zimbabwe Saints FC	1–0	0–1	1–1 (3–4 p.)
1992	African Cup Winners' Cup	First round	Al-Merreikh	0–1	1–1	1–2
1993	African Cup Winners' Cup	First round	Al-Merreikh	0–3	2–0	2–3
1994	African Cup of Champions Clubs	First round	Zamalek SC	disqualified	disqualified	w/o
1995	African Cup of Champions Clubs	First round	Force Nationale Securité	2–0	7–0	9–0
		Second round	Aigle Nkongsamba	3–0	0–1	3–1
		Quarter-finals	Dynamos	0–1	2–1	2–2 (ag.)
		Semi-finals	Orlando Pirates	0–1	1–1	1–2
1996	African Cup of Champions Clubs	Preliminary round	Sunrise Flacq United	1–0	1–3	2–3
1997	CAF Champions League	Preliminary round	Young Africans	0–0	1–0	1–0
		First round	CAPS United	2–5	4–2	6–7
1998	African Cup Winners' Cup	First round	Al-Mourada	0–0	1–0	1–0
		Second round	Espérance	1–0	0–2	1–2
1999	CAF Cup	First round	Medlaw Megbi	0–1	6–0	6–1
		Second round	Etoile du Sahel	2–2	0–2	2–4
2002	African Cup Winners' Cup	First round	Ghazl Al-Mehalla	2–1	1–2	3–3 (1–4 p.)
2003	CAF Cup	First round	Green Buffaloes	1–2	1–1	2–3
2004	CAF Confederation Cup	Preliminary round	Ethiopian Bunna	2–1	0–0	2–1
		First round	Lobi Stars	1–1	0–3	1–4
2008	CAF Confederation Cup	Preliminary round	AS Inter Star	1–0	0–1	1–1 (5–4 p.)
		First round	AS Vita Club	0–0	0–0	0–0 (2–4 p.)

^{[11] [12]}

Achievements

• Ugandan Premier League: 7

1974, 1975, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2011–12, 2020-2021

• Ugandan Cup: 10

1985, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2002–03, 2006, 2006–07.

• East African Hedex Super Cup: 1

2001–02.

Performance in CAF competitions

• CAF Champions League: 1 appearance

1997  – First round

• African Cup of Champions Clubs: 6 appearances

1975  – Second round 1976  – Second round 1989  – Second round

1990  – First round 1994  – disqualified in first round 1995  – Semi-finals

1996  – Preliminary Round

• CAF Confederation Cup: 2 appearances

2004  – First round

2008  – First round

• CAF Cup: 2 appearances

1999  – Second round

2003  – First round

• African Cup Winners' Cup: 5 appearances

1986  – First round 1992  – First round

1993  – First round 1998  – Second round

2002  – First round

Managerial history

As of 14 February 2014

Since the formation of the club a total of 44 men have been appointed as head coach of Express. ^[13] The coaches that have served Express are detailed below:

• Jolly 'Joe' Kiwanuka (1959–73)
• Robert Kiberu (1974–77)
• Ashe Mukasa (1979)
• John Dibya (1980)
• Emmanuel Nsubuga (1980–82)
• Henry Buyego (1983)
• George Mukasa (1984–85)
• Charles Masembe (1985–86)
• Dan Lutalo (1986)
• George Mukasa (1986)
• Robert Kiberu (1987–90)
• Billy Kizito (1990)
• David Otti (1990–95)
• Jimmy Muguwa (1995–96)
• Dragan Popadić (1996–97)
• Jimmy Muguwa (1997–98)
• Abo Korouma (1998–99)
• Godfrey Nyola (1999)
• Rashid Shedu (1999–00)
• Godfrey Nyola (2000)
• Eddie May (2000–01)
• Asumani Lubowa (2001)
• Godfrey Nyola (2001)
• Jimmy Muguwa (2002)
• Abdul Kadir (2002)
• Leo Adraa (2002–03)
• Jan Fray (2003)
• James S'ianga (2004)
• Leo Adraa (2004–05)
• Godfrey Nyola (2005)
• Polly Ouma (2005)
• George Ssimwogerere (2006)
• Kefa Kisala (2006)
• George Ssimwogerere (2006)
• Kefa Kisala (2006–07)
• Ibrahim Buwembo (2007)
• Kennedy Lubogo (2007)
• Sam Ssimbwa (2007)
• Polly Ouma (2007)
• Jimmy Muguwa (2007–08)
• David Otti (2008–11)
• Sam Ssimbwa (2010–12)
• Moses Basena (2012–13)
• Frank Anyau (2013)
• Sam Ssimbwa (2013)
• Wassawa Bossa (2014 – 14th February 2022)
• James Odoch (August 2022)

^{[13] [14]}

See also

• Muteesa II Wankulukuku Stadium
• Ugandan Premier League

References

1. Bbosa, Denis (1 August 2018). "Nakiwala wishes Eagles can fly again". Daily Monitor . Kampala. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
2. "Express Sports Club". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
3. "Express Football Club". Soccer256. Archived from the original on 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
4. "Express Football Club". Internet Archive. Archived from the original on December 19, 2009. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
5. "Save Express: what you need to know about campaign to save Uganda's oldest football club". thegrapevine.co.ug. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
6. "Uganda – Various Data 1960–1991 – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl)". RSSSF . 2014. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
7. "HB ZZIWA: Villa's 22–1 win over Akol killed Ugandan football". The Observer. Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
8. Isabirye, David (25 May 2018). "Excitement as Express FC survive UPL relegation on the final day". kawowo.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
9. Express FC Declared 2020/21 Uganda Premier League Champions Archived 2021-07-09 at the Wayback Machine Ndibba Updates
10. "Uganda – List of Champions – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl)". RSSSF . 2002. Archived from the original on 2021-07-31. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
11. "Red Eagles — Scoreshelf.com" . Retrieved 2014-02-14.
12. "Express FC Kampala — Wildstat.com". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
13. "Express Unveils Anyau As New Coach". ChimpReports. 2013-08-01. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
14. "Big Three: Red Eagles' wings carry 42 coaches". The Observer. 2009-11-08. Archived from the original on 2023-06-19. Retrieved 2014-02-14.

External links

• Uganda – List of Champions – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl)
• Uganda – List of Cup Finals – RSSSF (Mikael Jönsson, Ian King and Hans Schöggl)
• Ugandan Football League Tables – League321.com
• Express Football Club Website (Internet Archive)