Express FC
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| Full name | Express Football Club | |
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| Nickname(s) | Red Eagles, Square Pass, Mukwano Gwa bangi | |
| Founded | 1957 | |
| Ground | Mutesa II Stadium | |
| Capacity | 35,000 | |
| Chairman | Counsel Kiryowa Kiwanuka [1] | |
| League | Uganda Premier League | |
| 2022–23 | 9th | |
| Website | Club website | |
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Express Football Club (abbreviated as Express) is a Ugandan professional
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.[3][4]
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.[5] 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.[6]
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.[3][4]
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.[7]
Over the last ten years the club's league performance has diminished although in
Cups
In contrast to their league performances, Express have been the most successful club in the
Current squad
This is the current squad for the 2023 - 2024 squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Record in the top tier
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African cups history
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | African Cup of Champions Clubs
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First round | Horsed FC
|
1–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 |
| Second round | Ghazl Al-Mehalla
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1–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | ||
| 1976 | African Cup of Champions Clubs
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First round |  Caïman Douala
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1–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 (4–3 p. )
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| Second round | Enugu Rangers
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0–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 ( ag. )
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| 1986 | African Cup Winners' Cup | First round |  Al Ahly
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0–2 | 1–0 | 1–2 |
| 1989 | African Cup of Champions Clubs
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First round |  Mbabane Highlanders FC
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4–0 | 1–2 | 5–2 |
| Second round |  Zimbabwe Saints FC
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1–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 (3–4 p. )
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| 1992 | African Cup Winners' Cup | First round | Al-Merreikh
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0–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 |
| 1993 | African Cup Winners' Cup | First round | Al-Merreikh
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0–3 | 2–0 | 2–3 |
| 1994 | African Cup of Champions Clubs
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First round | Zamalek SC
|
disqualified | disqualified | w/o |
| 1995 | African Cup of Champions Clubs
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First round |  Force Nationale Securité
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2–0 | 7–0 | 9–0 |
| Second round | Aigle Nkongsamba
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3–0 | 0–1 | 3–1 | ||
| Quarter-finals | Dynamos
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0–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 ( ag. )
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| Semi-finals | Orlando Pirates
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0–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | ||
| 1996 | African Cup of Champions Clubs
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Preliminary round | Sunrise Flacq United
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1–0 | 1–3 | 2–3 |
| 1997 | CAF Champions League | Preliminary round | Young Africans
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0–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 |
| First round | CAPS United
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2–5 | 4–2 | 6–7 | ||
| 1998 | African Cup Winners' Cup | First round | Al-Mourada
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0–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 |
| Second round | Espérance
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1–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | ||
| 1999 | CAF Cup | First round |  Medlaw Megbi
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0–1 | 6–0 | 6–1 |
| Second round | Etoile du Sahel
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2–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 | ||
| 2002 | African Cup Winners' Cup | First round | Ghazl Al-Mehalla
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2–1 | 1–2 | 3–3 (1–4 p. )
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| 2003 | CAF Cup | First round | Green Buffaloes
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1–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 |
| 2004 | CAF Confederation Cup | Preliminary round | Ethiopian Bunna
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2–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 |
| First round | Lobi Stars
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1–1 | 0–3 | 1–4 | ||
| 2008 | CAF Confederation Cup | Preliminary round |  AS Inter Star
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1–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 (5–4 p. )
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| First round |  AS Vita Club
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0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 (2–4 p. )
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Achievements
- Ugandan Premier League: 7
- 2011–12, 2020-2021
- Ugandan Cup: 10
- East African Hedex Super Cup: 1
- 2001–02.
Performance in CAF competitions
- CAF Champions League: 1 appearance
- 1997– First round
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 6 appearances
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- CAF Confederation Cup: 2 appearances
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- CAF Cup: 2 appearances
- African Cup Winners' Cup: 5 appearances
Managerial history
- As of 14 February 2014
Since the formation of the club a total of 44 men have been appointed as head coach of Express.[13] The coaches that have served Express are detailed below:
Jolly 'Joe' Kiwanuka (1959–73)- Robert Kiberu (1974–77)
- Ashe Mukasa (1979)
- John Dibya (1980)
- Emmanuel Nsubuga (1980–82)
- Henry Buyego (1983)
- George Mukasa (1984–85)
- Charles Masembe (1985–86)
- Dan Lutalo (1986)
- George Mukasa (1986)
- Robert Kiberu (1987–90)
- Billy Kizito (1990)
- David Otti (1990–95)
- Jimmy Muguwa (1995–96)
Dragan Popadić (1996–97)- Jimmy Muguwa (1997–98)
Abo Korouma (1998–99)- Godfrey Nyola (1999)
Rashid Shedu (1999–00)- Godfrey Nyola (2000)
Eddie May (2000–01)- Asumani Lubowa (2001)
- Godfrey Nyola (2001)
- Jimmy Muguwa (2002)
Abdul Kadir (2002)- Leo Adraa (2002–03)
Jan Fray (2003)- James S'ianga (2004)
- Leo Adraa (2004–05)
- Godfrey Nyola (2005)
- Polly Ouma (2005)
- George Ssimwogerere (2006)
- Kefa Kisala (2006)
- George Ssimwogerere (2006)
- Kefa Kisala (2006–07)
- Ibrahim Buwembo (2007)
- Kennedy Lubogo (2007)
- Sam Ssimbwa (2007)
- Polly Ouma (2007)
- Jimmy Muguwa (2007–08)
- David Otti (2008–11)
- Sam Ssimbwa (2010–12)
- Moses Basena (2012–13)
- Frank Anyau (2013)
- Sam Ssimbwa (2013)
- Wassawa Bossa (2014 – 14th February 2022)
- James Odoch (August 2022)
See also
- Muteesa II Wankulukuku Stadium
- Ugandan Premier League
References
- ^ Bbosa, Denis (1 August 2018). "Nakiwala wishes Eagles can fly again". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Express Sports Club". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
- ^ a b "Express Football Club". Soccer256. Archived from the original on 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
- ^ a b "Express Football Club". Internet Archive. Archived from the original on December 19, 2009. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
- ^ a b "Save Express: what you need to know about campaign to save Uganda's oldest football club". thegrapevine.co.ug. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ "Uganda – Various Data 1960–1991 – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl)". RSSSF. 2014. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "HB ZZIWA: Villa's 22–1 win over Akol killed Ugandan football". The Observer. Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
- ^ Isabirye, David (25 May 2018). "Excitement as Express FC survive UPL relegation on the final day". kawowo.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ Express FC Declared 2020/21 Uganda Premier League Champions Archived 2021-07-09 at the Wayback Machine Ndibba Updates
- ^ "Uganda – List of Champions – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl)". RSSSF. 2002. Archived from the original on 2021-07-31. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
- ^ "Red Eagles — Scoreshelf.com". Retrieved 2014-02-14.
- ^ "Express FC Kampala — Wildstat.com". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
- ^ a b "Express Unveils Anyau As New Coach". ChimpReports. 2013-08-01. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
- ^ "Big Three: Red Eagles' wings carry 42 coaches". The Observer. 2009-11-08. Archived from the original on 2023-06-19. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
External links
- Uganda – List of Champions – RSSSF (Hans Schöggl)
- Uganda – List of Cup Finals – RSSSF (Mikael Jönsson, Ian King and Hans Schöggl)
- Ugandan Football League Tables – League321.com
- Express Football Club Website (Internet Archive)
 Uganda Premier League 2023−24 clubs | |
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