Category: Club News

BUL beat Wakiso Giants 2-1 in a match which burst into life in the second half at the FUFA Technical Center.

Vincent Zziwa’s first goal and assist for the club were enough to get BUL all the three points after Walter Ochora’s opener was cancelled by Ambrose Arinda.

There was little sign of what was to come during uneventful first half in which neither side really threatened the opposition goalkeeper

But after the break, the game kicked into gear, and it was BUL who knocked on the door when Zziwa, who had replaced Ibrahim Mugulusi midway the first half, showed his skill set near the area before Jerome Kirya’s shot from inside the box was blocked.

Moments later, the visitors overwhelmed Ochora on the right with Frank Ssebuufu going through and into the box and it needed the swiftness of substitute Douglas Muganga to put the ball behind for a comer.

At this moment, It was end to end as both sides looked for the opener.

BUL crancked up the pressure and went Infront on 59 minutes when Aggrey Madoi’s long range thunder bolt was flicked out into corner.

Zziwa swung in the resultant set piece and it was met by Ochora who leaped high to power in a strong header past Samson Kirya in the Purple Sharks’ goal to throw the stands into wild celebrations.

However, Arinda dragged the contest level with twelve minutes left on the clock when he headed in Moses Aliro’s corner from the right flag. By this time, it was game on for the visitors.

But BUL was not ready to settle for just a mere point, committing numbers upfront and finally earned the winner five minutes later. Ochora was involved in the build up as his long throw found Richard Wandyaka who laid for Zziwa to roll in through many bodies and into the net.

Wakiso Giants then tried to push for an equaliser again through a barrage of attacks and corners but sadly for the Purple Sharks, they just fell short.

The Eastern Giants will next be in action on Tuesday next week against Arua Hill at Barifa.

Starting XI:
Emmanuel Kalyowa (GK), Walter Ochora, Ronald Otti (Douglas Muganga 46′), Aggrey Madoi, George Kasonko, Ibrahim Mugulusi (Vincent Zziwa 34′), Jerome Kirya (Anthony Mayanja 87′), Martin Aprem (Owen Mukisa 90+3), Ibrahim Nsimbe (Ivan Wani 87′), Richard Wandyaka, Hillary Onek.

Unused substitutes:
Saidi Keni (GK), Richard Ayiko.

Second half goals from Karim Ndugwa and Ibrahim Mugulusi were enough to give BUL a priceless 2-0 win over Busoga United on Friday, consolidating the Eastern Giants in the second place on the Uganda premier league log with 17 points.

Just as the second period looked to be running out, Ndugwa leapt to meet a beautifully weighted Ronald Otti cross from the left and head passed Michael Lutaaya in Busoga’s goal five minutes after the hour.

Following a goalless first half, Martin Aprem was introduced after the break and he got involved in the 76th-minute goal that sealed the result when he teed up Mugulusi who turned on his preferred left foot to curl the ball beyond Lutaaya’s reach.

The match started with a good momentum as attacks swung from end to end, but neither side possessed a cutting edge in the final third to make the breakthrough in the first half.

Busoga threatened as early as the second minute and almost scored when Dickson Niwamanya’s snapshot from range evaded everyone to sting the gloves of Emmanuel Kalyowa before the ball was cleared.

Four minutes later, BUL started to fire warning shots and their intent to win was made clear starting from the sixth minute going forward.

Pascal Ngobi was released in a shooting position by Ibrahim Kazindula near the area but his effort whistled slightly above the bar before the latter was denied from a free kick by the opponent’s goalkeeper.

Laban Tibita was Busoga’s brightest spark in the middle and the young man showed his talent as he picked up balls from their defense to his attackers quite often throughout the game.

However they struggled to beat Kalyowa in BUL’s goal as Nicholas Mwere’s carpet sweeping free kick was tamed before the lanky defender had another shot direct at the goalkeeper following a burst through on the left.

Their best chance of the game arrived after 57 minutes when Tibita engineered a quick, well-executed counter through Niwamanya that left Moses Logono one-on-one with Kalyowa inside the area, but Logono took too many touches before he slagishly put a harmless effort at the goalkeeper.

They paid for their wasted chances in 65th minute when BUL opened the scoring. Otti had all the time and space to weigh up his options, and he went for the head of Ndugwa who made no mistake to glide in a sweet header for his fifth goal of the season.

Substitute Aprem made his presence felt with an assist, picking up Mugulusi who opened his account this season with a cool and lovely finish with fourteen minutes left on the clock.

The result has stretched BUL’s unbeaten run at home to 11 league games since February, and the next league engagement will be away to Bright Stars next week at Kavumba recreation grounds on Tuesday.

Starting XI:
Emmanuel Kalyowa (GK), Walter Ochora, Ronald Otti, Aggrey Madoi, Ibrahim Kazindula (Hillary Onek 66′), Pascal Ngobi (George Kasonko 85′), Douglas Muganga (Martin Aprem 46′), Ibrahim Mugulusi, Jerome Kirya (Ibrahim Nsimbe 66′), Karim Ndugwa, Richard Wandyaka (Vincent Zziwa 85′).

Unused substitutes:
Saidi Keni (GK), Richard Ayiko.

Tuesday November 8
Uganda Premier League
Express Vs BUL
Wankulukuku
Kick off: 4PM

Tuesday sees the table leaders BUL travel to Wankulukuku, with the Eastern Giants set to face Express.

BUL showed their class when they dug out a 1-0 victory against Onduparaka last week on Wednesday, while Express recorded an impressive 2-1 win over the same opponent at the end of last month in the sides’ last piece of action.

James Odoch’s men stopped our eight game unbeaten run the last time we met with a 2-1 beating last season – Raymond Walugembe and Martin Kizza were on target for the home side in the first half, while Simon Peter Oketch scored a consolation for BUL as the game wore on.

Impressively, the Eastern Giants have won four and drawn two of their six league games this season to collect 14 points, and they will similarly bring an eight-game unbeaten run in the league again into this contest, which includes away victory at Blacks Power and one all draws at URA and Gaddafi this campaign.

Indeed, Alex Isabirye’s side thrashed Blacks Power 5-0 in front of their own faithfuls at the start of the season before sharing points with the tax collectors and the Soldier Boys.

However, BUL’s last win against the Red Eagles at Wankulukuku occurred six years ago.

Milton Kalisa scored inside 28 minutes as BUL registered a 1-0 victory, the first under coach Frank ‘Video’ Anyau who had replaced Alex Isabirye in September 2016.

This match has come at a time when the Red Eagles have won their last three league battles against BUL, and since losing to SC Villa, they responded well with a hard fought draw at Gaddafi and improved their performances later with a 2-1 win at Onduparaka.

This has left them in the 7th place with eight points from five rounds of play.

Tuesday’s match is the 19th clash between the sides.

Team News

Isabirye will have to do without the services of Denis Mwemezi who sustained an injury against Onduparaka, while defender Walter Ochora continues to sit out because of suspension. The rest of the players are in full good mood and shape to hit the ground running.

Two fairly good sides face off in a potential fascinating affair and the assistant coach – James Magala shared his thoughts about the game before the showdown.

“We’re going to be very focused,” he said.

“Express will not be a walk in the park though and I expect them to be very ready for us.“

“Nevertheless, we have readied ourselves well and we plan to have a good approach to the game technically.”

“They are a good team, we respect them and I know the game will be technically good altogether but our approach will be a bit different.”

“Our preparations have been good – we had international matches, and I know our players are now mentally strong.”

Striker Frank Kalanda was also optimistic ahead of the tie.

“We have prepared ourselves – right from the goalkeeping to the striking areas. Express is a very big team but we are very eager to maintain our top position,” he said

Head to Head

This fixture has provided 19 meetings in all competitions, producing eight BUL FC wins, six Express FC victories and five draws.

Last Four Meetings

May 7, 2022

Express 2-1 BUL

October 26, 2021

BUL FC 0-1 Express

September 23, 2021

BUL FC 1-0 Express FC (Uganda Cup)

February 20, 2021

BUL FC 0-4 Express FC

Match Facts

BUL is unbeaten in six matches this campaign –winning four games and drawing two.

They have scored in each game – keeping three clean sheets.

Their 12 goals is the highest goal turnover in the division after just six rounds

And they got two points from their last two away matches after settling for one all draws at URA and Gaddafi.

It’s six years since BUL last beat Express at Wankulukuku – the 1-0 win in mid September of 2016.

Express are unbeaten in four home matches, winning and drawing two apiece since May 2022, and scoring four goals in the run.

Their recent 2-1 win over Onduparaka is their only victory in their past three outings.

But James Odoch’s men have won their previous three league meetings with the Eastern Giants.

Match Coverage:

Fans can catch the game live on television but they can as well follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the game, followed by a match report and match highlights. 

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