MATCH PREVIEW; BUL FC VS EXPRESS FC

Sunday 3rd March 2024

Stanbic Uganda Cup

BUL FC Vs Express

FUFA Technical Centre

Kick-off: 4pm.

Alex Kitata in action

BUL FC return to the Uganda Cup action at FUFA technical centre in Njeru on Sunday evening when we host ten time winners Express FC in a round of 16 showdown. It is the first home fixture for the Eastern Giants in this competition this term.

While BUL were held to a 0-0 draw by Maroons in the Uganda premier league the last time out, Alex Isabirye’s troops rejoiced in a 3-1 beating of UPDF on Friday.

The Eastern Giants will however put the stalemate behind them, and head into this Uganda Cup fixture with hopes of making it to the quarter finals, having made it here by knocking Simba (3-0) and Kyambura Rastas (1-0) out in the previous rounds.

Express made it to the last 16 after defeating MYDA 1-0 in the round of 64. Their clash at the round of 32 might have ended 1-1 against Rwenzori Lions, but they did get the job done when it mattered most, winning 8-7 on penalties.

The teams have already thrown jabs against each other this season, albeit in the UPL, with the sides drawing 1-1 in November last year at Wankulukuku where BUL had to die a little to earn a point after two defenders – Banon Tahomera and Walter Ochora were sent off in the second half of the contest.

They equally shared the previous two meetings in Uganda Cup. The first face off was in March 2019 and The Red Eagles won 1-0 in the semi final bout at Wankulukuku before the Eastern Giants revenged in 2021 at the same stage of the competition, with the same score at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on course to reaching the first cup final.

Team News

Coach Abby confirmed he will not have Reagan Kalyowa and Douglas Muganga who are out due to injury while Hillary Onek will miss due to accumulated yellow cards.

Express is a top flight team and I believe it will be hard game but we are going to fight tooth and nail to win the game and we storm quarter final. 

We are playing our former coach who won stanbic Uganda cup with BUL but right now its me at BUL and I also want to win this same trophy with this team, says Coach Abby

 

NEWS: DADDY ALONSO JOINS THE EASTERN GIANTS AS HEAD GROUNDSMAN

We are delighted to welcome Rajab Mukose – better known as Daddy Alonso to BUL Football Club  as our new head groundsman.

Mukose has signed a one-year contract with the Eastern Giants and will work significantly to improve and maintain the quality of the playing surface at Kyabazinga Stadium to one we are all proud of, and in time before and or during the new Uganda Premier League season commencement.

Our new groundskeeper joins having worked formerly at newly-promoted Uganda Premier League side Gaddafi FC and the now defunct Sadolin FC in different capacities.

He holds a certificate in football groundskeeping and stadium management.

Rajab is also the founder of the highly decorated Eastern Talent Soccer Academy based in Bugembe.

OFFICIAL: BUL FC ACQUIRE TUSABA, KALYOWA

The Eastern Giants can confirm the acquisition of more two new players.

Najib Tusaba Gwaido, a defender, joins BUL Football Club from Onduparaka while experienced goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa comes back as free agent.

Everyone has signed a two-year contract.

New recruit Defender Najib Tusaba

“I am excited to join my dream club in Uganda. I am proud to be finally a BUL FC player and I promise better performances come the new season,” Tusaba said after inking the deal.

Kalyowa played for the Eastern Giants between 2015 and 2017 before joining URA, Kyetume and  Nyamityobora respectively