Express FC explained

Clubname:Express Football Club
Fullname:Express Football Club
Nickname:Red Eagles, Square Pass, Mukwano Gwa bangi
Ground:Mutesa II Stadium
Capacity:35,000
Patron:Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu
President:Vincent R. Bbale Mugera
Chairman:Counsel Kiryowa Kiwanuka [1]
Ceo:Ram Abubakar Muhammad Hadji
Head Coach:James Odoch
League:Uganda Premier League
Season:2023–24
Position:10th
Website:http://www.expressfootballclub.com
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Express Football Club (abbreviated as Express) is a Ugandan professional football club from Kampala. The club previously played their home games at the Muteesa II Wankulukuku Stadium[2],but recently shifted to the newly renovated Hamz Stadium,Nakivubo.[3]

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.[4] [5]

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.[6] 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.

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.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.[7]

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.[4] [5]

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.[8] 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.[6] 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.[9] 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

Record in the top tier

SeasonTierLeaguePos.Pl.WDLGSGAPts
1968–691Uganda National First Divisionalign=right 4th14 8 2 432 17 18
19691Uganda National First Divisionalign=right 2nd18 12 2 464 24 26
19701Uganda National First Divisionalign=right 4th10 6 1 322 13 13
19711Uganda National First Divisionalign=right 4th14 72 520 20 16
1972Competition abandonedalign=right
1973Competition abandonedalign=right
19741Uganda National Leaguealign=right 1st14 9 4 129 12 22
19751Uganda National Leaguealign=right 1st18 11 5 235 15 27
19761Uganda National Leaguealign=right 2nd22 16 2 447 14 34
19771Uganda National Leaguealign=right
1978–79Not permitted to participatealign=right
19801Uganda National Leaguealign=right 5th30 14 6 1046 41 34
19811Uganda National Leaguealign=right 3rd32 15 9 863 37 39
19821Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 3rd18 9 6 332 20 24
19831Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 4th28 16 5 754 39 37
19841Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 3rd30 14 9 749 34 37
19851Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd26 19 3 450 23 41
19861Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 8th28 9 9 1025 28 27
19871Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd21 11 8 238 14 30
19881Uganda Super Leaguealign=right
19891Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd22 14 7 137 21 35
19901Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 4th22 11 4 726 17 26
19911Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 4th20 13 5 239 10 31
19921Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd26 17 7 243 19 41
SeasonTierLeaguePos.Pl.WDLGSGAPts
19931Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 1st28 20 7 160 15 47
19941Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd28 20 5 364 14 65
19951Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 1st28 24 2 273 16 74
19961Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 1st30 23 6 161 15 75
19971Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 3rd30 22 6 268 18 72
19981Uganda Super League
Nile SL Serie A		align=right 2nd21 13 5 344 17 44
19991Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd38 28 8 285 15 92
20001Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 3rd30 20 5 553 24 65
20011Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 3rd28 14 7 737 25 49
20021Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd28 21 3 462 20 66
2002–031Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd27 23 3 155 9 72
20041Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 3rd29 16 9 447 20 57
20051Uganda Super League
Group C		align=right 1st8 5 2 110 4 17
20061Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 3rd28 15 9 432 16 54
2006–071Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 9th32 8 15 922 30 39
2007–081Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 6th34 12 15 730 20 51
2008–091Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 8th34 14 11 928 24 53
2009–101Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 2nd34 21 9 444 15 72
2010–111Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 7th26 9 10 718 14 37
2011–121Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 1st28 15 9 439 21 54
2012–131Uganda Super Leaguealign=right 11th30 8 12 1031 31 36
2013–141Uganda Super Leaguealign=right
2020–211Uganda Premier Leaguealign=right 1st26 17 7 2 44 13 58[10]
[11]

African cups history

SeasonCompetitionRoundClub1st leg2nd legAggregate
1975African Cup of Champions ClubsFirst round Horsed FC1–00–01–0
Second round Ghazl Al-Mehalla1–10–11–2
1976African Cup of Champions ClubsFirst round Caïman Douala1–00–11–1 (4–3 p.)
Second round Enugu Rangers0–02–22–2 (ag.)
1986African Cup Winners' CupFirst round Al Ahly0–21–01–2
1989African Cup of Champions ClubsFirst round Mbabane Highlanders FC4–01–25–2
Second round Zimbabwe Saints FC1–00–11–1 (3–4 p.)
1992African Cup Winners' CupFirst round Al-Merreikh0–11–11–2
1993African Cup Winners' CupFirst round Al-Merreikh0–32–02–3
1994African Cup of Champions ClubsFirst round Zamalek SCdisqualifieddisqualifiedw/o
1995African Cup of Champions ClubsFirst round Force Nationale Securité2–07–09–0
Second round Aigle Nkongsamba3–00–13–1
Quarter-finals Dynamos0–12–12–2 (ag.)
Semi-finals Orlando Pirates0–11–11–2
1996African Cup of Champions ClubsPreliminary round Sunrise Flacq United1–01–32–3
1997CAF Champions LeaguePreliminary round Young Africans0–01–01–0
First round CAPS United2–54–26–7
1998African Cup Winners' CupFirst round Al-Mourada0–01–01–0
Second round Espérance1–00–21–2
1999CAF CupFirst round Medlaw Megbi0–16–06–1
Second round Etoile du Sahel2–20–22–4
2002African Cup Winners' CupFirst round Ghazl Al-Mehalla2–11–23–3 (1–4 p.)
2003CAF CupFirst round Green Buffaloes1–21–12–3
2004CAF Confederation CupPreliminary round Ethiopian Bunna2–10–02–1
First round Lobi Stars1–10–31–4
2008CAF Confederation CupPreliminary round AS Inter Star1–00–11–1 (5–4 p.)
First round AS Vita Club0–00–00–0 (2–4 p.)
[12] [13]

Achievements

7

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

10

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

2001–02.

Performance in CAF competitions

1 appearance

1997 – First round

1975 – Second round

1976 – Second round

1989 – Second round

1990 – First round

1994 – disqualified in first round

1995 – Semi-finals

1996 – Preliminary Round

2 appearances

2004 – First round

2008 – First round

2 appearances

1999 – Second round

2003 – First round

5 appearances

1986 – First round

1992 – First round

1993 – First round

1998 – Second round

2002 – First round

Managerial history

Since the formation of the club a total of 44 men have been appointed as head coach of Express.[14] The coaches that have served Express are detailed below:

[14] [15]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1 August 2018 . Nakiwala wishes Eagles can fly again . 4 November 2016 . . Kampala . Bbosa . Denis . 4 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161104204356/http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Score/Nakiwala-wishes-Eagles-can-fly-again/689854-3322104-703q3j/index.html . live .
  2. Web site: Express Sports Club. Soccerway. 2014-02-14. 2020-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20201215111107/https://int.soccerway.com/teams/uganda/express/10540/. live.
  3. Web site: Muyita . Joel . 2024-08-17 . BUL, Kitara, and SC Villa confirm new home grounds . 2024-08-19 . Kawowo Sports . en-US.
  4. Web site: Express Football Club. Soccer256. 2014-02-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20110818193521/http://soccer256.com/Express%20football%20club.html. 2011-08-18. dead.
  5. Web site: Express Football Club . Internet Archive . 2014-02-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091219212211/http://expressfootballclub.com/hist.php . December 19, 2009 .
  6. Web site: Save Express: what you need to know about campaign to save Uganda's oldest football club. 23 March 2018. thegrapevine.co.ug. 10 January 2019. 10 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183654/https://www.thegrapevine.co.ug/save-express-what-you-need-to-know-about-campaign-to-save-ugandas-oldest-football-club/. live.
  7. News: Uganda – Various Data 1960–1991 – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl) . 2014 . 13 February 2014 . . 31 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210731202425/http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/oeghist.html . live .
  8. Web site: HB ZZIWA: Villa’s 22–1 win over Akol killed Ugandan football. The Observer. 2014-02-13. 2014-01-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20140109135608/http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4316&catid=80. dead.
  9. Web site: Excitement as Express FC survive UPL relegation on the final day. David. Isabirye. 25 May 2018. kawowo.com. 10 January 2019. 10 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183607/https://www.kawowo.com/2018/05/25/excitement-as-leku-strikes-to-bury-express-relegation-woes-on-the-final-day/. live.
  10. https://ndibba.com/express-fc-declared-2020-21-uganda-premier-league-champions/ Express FC Declared 2020/21 Uganda Premier League Champions
  11. News: Uganda – List of Champions – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl) . 2002 . . 2014-02-09 . 2021-07-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210731202425/http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/oeghist.html . live .
  12. Web site: Red Eagles — Scoreshelf.com . 2014-02-14.
  13. Web site: Express FC Kampala — Wildstat.com . 2014-02-14 . 2014-02-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222150152/http://wildstat.com/p/1/club/UGA_Express_FC_Kampala . live .
  14. News: Express Unveils Anyau As New Coach . ChimpReports . 2013-08-01 . 2014-02-14 . 2014-02-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222221846/http://chimpreports.com/index.php/sport/11869-express-unveils-anyau-as-new-coach.html . dead .
  15. News: Big Three: Red Eagles’ wings carry 42 coaches . The Observer . 2009-11-08 . 2014-02-14 . 2023-06-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230619193803/https://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5892:big-three-red-eagles-wings-carry-42-coaches&catid=44:sports . dead .

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