|
Sports
|
|
Written by Hassan Badru Zziwa
|
|
Sunday, 22 November 2009 17:41 |
 1. Class of 1975
Square pass is our motto at Wembley. That’s how Express fanatics counteracted KCC vocal faithful who used to tell all and sundry about their Kasasiro/kawowo style. Express’s 1975 side perfected the art of playing square passes, much to the amusement of coach Robert Kiberu.
This club was a star-studded contributed many players to the national team, The Cranes. This was an experienced side that revolved around proven skipper and sweeper, Ibrahim Dafala. Stopper, Wilson Nsobya was also quite prominent in this side as was his young brother, Fred Sekasi who played as a right back. Left back Ashe Mukasa and the great goaltender, Joseph Masajjage completed the defensive spine of this Express side.
Stanley “Tank” Mubiru, Mike “Computer” Kiganda, Badru “Zomba” Kakembo and giant midfielder Timothy Ayieko provided the industry whilst speed merchant Ali Kitonsa led the striking line together with left winger John Ntensibe.
The club bench had stellar players like Fred Lukwago, Steven Wassajja, Ismael Kirungi, Edward Sekisaka, Henry Matte, Edward Semanda, Richard Kembo and Peter Kirumira. With such quality, Express caused shockwaves on the continent, beating Cameroonian giants Caiman.
Although the club’s dream run in the Africa Club Championships was halted by Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers at the quarterfinal stage on an away goals rule count, commentators had seen enough to declare the class of 1975 great. Unfortunately, complacency cost this side dear as KCC went on to dominate the 1976 season. A simmering rivalry with Simba SC led to the club being banned in 1977.
2. Class of 1985
Before 1985, buying sprees at Express would reap nothing. Tired of spending lots and reaping nothing, Express’ new boss Patrick Kiwanuka decided to maintain the squad which had done duty the previous season and also gave coach George Mukasa a free hand. Mukasa moulded a team that won the Uganda Cup, beating KCC 3-1. The Red Eagles were only beaten to the league title by KCC on goal difference.
This team rotated around keeper Steven Segujja with a battle hardened back four of Isaac Nkada, Dan Lutalo, Joseph Kiwanuka and George Serunjogi. Moses Ndaula and Paul Nkata’s midfield was a joy to watch, whereas Joackim Matovu, Fred Mukasa, Jimmy Muguwa and Phillip Musoke scored goals for fun. This made up for the absence of dependable striker Issa Sekatawa who spent much of the season on sidelines.
There was also depth in Express’s squad as a bench comprising Obeid Lutale, Yusuf Gitta, Ronald Kabogoza, Jackson Ntale, George Kiggundu and keeper David Dronyi shows.
3. Class of 1995
The majority of players in this memorable side were remnants of the youthful side groomed by coach David Otti in 1990. In February 1995, Otti – who had won the league with his young team in 1993 – crossed to SC Villa and left the team with his No.2 Jimmy Muguwa and trainer Godfrey Nyola.
The two tacticians moulded a formidable side which rotated around towering skipper and sweeper George Ssimwogerere together with nonsense defenders Phillip Obwiny, Richard Kirumira, Edward Kalungi and Rastafarian goalie Abu Kigenyi.
Young Turks Friday Senyonjo, Joseph Mutyaba, Simon Kyobe or Zazak Lingaya and Willy Kyambadde completed a strong midfield which used to combine well with an effective striking force of Davis Odowa, Fred Tamale and Kefa Kisala. If things failed to work out in the striking line, Ali Semyalo and Andrew Arinaitwe used to be introduced, whereas Robert Kizito and William Makumbi’s versatility turned out to be priceless.
Little wonder, Express won its only league and Cup double that season. The club also reached the semi-final of the Africa Club Championships, losing 2-1 on aggregate to South Africa’s Orlando Pirates.
However, after management replaced coach Jimmy Muguwa with Serbian Dragan Popadic in April 1996, this team faded into oblivion.
Best of the best: Zziwa’s best FC side
1. Joseph Masajjage (RIP): An agile keeper whose reflexes made defenders look foolish.
2. Dan Lutalo: He was comfortable in any defensive role. A hard tackler and fast runner, Lutalo was good in the air.
3. Ashe Mukasa: He was stylish player whose runs on the left used to yield goals.
Played three times in the Nations Cup (1974, 1976 & 1978). A very smart player nicknamed “Lord”.
4. Wilson Nsobya (RIP): He was such a fantastic all rounder defender that nicknamed “doctor”, a very good game reader and quite stylish.
5. Ibrahim Dafala. The club life captain who guided the club to the 1974 & 1975 league titles. A tall cool headed defender, expert at heading, nicknamed “British”.
6. Mike Kiganda (RIP): Diminutive midfielder and a member of the magical 1978 Cranes side—because of his skill he was nicknamed “Computer”.
7. Stanley Mubiru (RIP): The most feared right winger who could beat any defender. He was voted best Africa winger in the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
8. Timothy Ayieko: A great midfielder with tremendous stamina. He had good chest control and ball protection.
9. Issa Sekatawa: He was the first Uganda player to emerge top scorer for three consecutive years. He scored with every part of his body: the head, the chest, feet, back heels and everything.
10. Jimmy Muguwa: Had good ball protection and close control. He could play effectively as both a striker and midfielder.
11. Fred Mukasa: He was a dazzling deadly left winger who used to initiate most of Express goals. He was also a proven scorer.
Reserve team: (1). Fred Lukwago (Giringi) (2) George Ssimwogerere (3). Richard Kirumira (4) Issac Nkada (5) Phillip Obwiny (6). Moses Ndaula (7) James Kirinya (8). Paul Nkata (9) Ali Kitonsa (10). Fred Tamale (11). John Ntensibe.
Best coach: Robert Kiberu
Best formation: 4-4-2
Best skipper: Ibrahim Dafala
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
Last Updated on Sunday, 22 November 2009 19:39 |
|
|
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form