By Denis Turyahebwa
Express FC took the first leg of the Stanbic Bank Uganda Cup after overcoming Uganda Revenue Authority football club 2-1 at Wankulukuku stadium on Saturday.
Long time rival coaches Wasswa Bossa and Sam Simbwa came into this game with a high spirit of becoming triumphant to open their sides’ opportunity of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Ibrahim Dada slotted home for the tax collectors to put them into the lead within just a minute into the game.
Fifteen minutes later, Express FC levelled matters through Martin Kiiza who shot at the near post.
The tax collectors could have doubled the lead in the 31st minute but the Red Eagles custodian Denis Otim acrobatically fingertiped the ball to deny Shafik Kagimu and at half time it was 1-1.
In the 47th minute, the Red Eagles skipper Godfrey Lwesibawa got a golden opportunity to put the hosts in the lead but goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi made a brilliant save to keep it level.
The deciding moment came in the 64th minute with the hero of the evening Erick Kambale coming to the Red Eagles rescue making it 2-1 thanks to a great delivery from Sadiq Ssekyembe.
The tax collectors tried to come back into the game but the hosts solidly towed away all the chances to secure a big win as they go into the return leg with an advantage.
Elsewhere in Arua, Faizo Kazibwe’s late goal was enough to snatch the victory for the Joggos from Onduparaka.
Kazibwe scored in the 87th minute to put SC Villa in the driving seat as they host the caterpillars in the return leg in Bombo.
