Express take first leg advantage over Al Merreikh in the first leg of the CAF Champions league qualifiers

Kenneth MUKISA

Wasswa Bbosa may not have been on the touchline but Express’ desire and hunger to win flowed through their nerves as they beat Al Merreikh in the CAF champions league have done themselves a huge favour as regards progression to the next round.

In form strikers Eric Kambale and Martin Kizza scored in either half as Express FC got the better of Sudan’s Al Merreikh 2-1 at St Mary’s Kitende in a very thrilling encounter.

Baking Abd Elgadir gave the visitors a much needed lIfeline to take into the return leg.

The home side got the lead through forward Erick Kambale as early as the 6th minute before Bakri Abd Elgadir’s equalizer off a headed effort with 7 minutes to end the opening stanza.

Kambale beat goalkeeper Salman Monged Elneel Abuzaid from close range after Martin Kizza had headed the ball in his path.

Kizza’s assist followed a long ball played from the backline.

The two sides will face off again next week on 17th September for the return leg.

Line ups

Express XI:

Joel Mutakubwa (G.K), Enock Walusimbi (Captain), Arthur Kiggundu, Isa Lumu, Murushid Juuko, Daniel Shabena, Yaya Kakooza, Godfrey Lwesibawa, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Martin Kizza, Erick Kambale

Subs:

Denis Otim (G.K), Denis Mubuya, Joseph Akandwanaho, Charles Musiige, John Byamukama, Abel Eturude, George Senkaaba, John Byamukama

Merrikh XI:

Salman Monged Elneel Abuzaid (G.K), Ahmed Ahmed, Suliman Amir Kamal, Ahmed Mohamed, Mahmoud Nemer Salaheldin, Musa Mahjoub Dhiya, Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Idris, Elsamani Saadelin, Hussein Nooh Al-Gozoli, Bakri Abd Elgadir, Tony Edjomariegwe Omayarue

Subs: Mohamed Mustafa Mohamed (G.K), Mohamed Alrashed Mahamoud, Wagdi Awad Abd Alla, Ahmed Hamed Mahmoud, Tajeldin Elnour Badawi, Ahmed Yousif, Abd Elrahman Esihag Hassan