Wasswa Bbosa started the season as Express FC coach but he returns to Wankulukuku this afternoon as SC Villa tactician having guided the Jogoos to four wins in five games since taking charge, writes JOHN VIANNEY NSIMBE.
SC Villa coach Wasswa Bbosa has promised to kiss the Jogoos badge in the glare of the Express fans if his team wins today’s Uganda Premier League match between the two traditional rivals at Mutesa II stadium in Wankulukuku.
This sounds so unusual coming from a man, who only became Villa head coach in March, considering that he grew up supporting Express, played for them and even coached them for years.
“I was treated as a rag in my last months at Express. Despite all the struggles I went through with the team, years of non-payment, but with good on field results, people did every subversive thing to undermine and fail me. Yet, I was their very own. It hurt,” Bbosa (Right) said.
Bbosa was in charge of Express between 2010 and 2016, a period when the Red Eagles were financially handicapped, but he convinced many players to join the then cash-strapped club without paying for their transfers.
He, however, left the club acrimoniously after a section of fans decampaigned him and demanded his exit last November. That’s how he ended up at SC Villa, whose supremo, Ben Misagga, saw pragmatism in him. Ever since he replaced Shafiq Bisaso as Villa’s head, Bbosa has revived the Jogoos’ faith that they can win the league for the first time since 2004.
He has guided Villa to four wins in their last five games, scoring eight goals and conceding one. Villa will miss star striker Emma Okwi due to injury. Okwi is Villa’s leading marksman with eight goals so far.
However, Bbosa will call on other match winners such as Vitalis Tabu, Martin Kizza and Ambrose Kirya, among others, in his plot to fell Express.
Express have improved under new coach Matia Lule, winning three league games in a row, although Lule insists they are still work in progress.
With a squad boasting of Saddam Juma, Simon Sserunkuma and Allan Kyambadde, Express has match winners to thwart Bbosa’s plan.
In the first round, Villa won 3-2 albeit in controversial circumstances, as Express’ would-be late equalizer was disallowed by assistant referee Musa Balikoowa at Namboole stadium. That history is expected to get Express fired up to seek revenge.
Uganda premier league
Today@4pm
Express v Villa@Wankulukuku
Shs 5,000 (Ordinary)
Shs 20,000 (Standard)
Shs 50,000 (VIP)
Kirinya v Police @Kakindu
Saints v JMC @Mwererwe
Soana v Proline @Kavumba