Express head coach James Odoch believes his side could have behaved better against Vipers SC on Tuesday at the St. Mary’s Stadium but for lack of rest, fatigue and exhaustion.
Express FC conceded five against the title-contenders Vipers SC while the former responded with just two, and Odoch feels their Saturday game against KCCA FC took a toll on the players’ bodies.
“At the start of the game, the players were a bit heavy-bodied as we didn’t have enough rest,” said Odoch in his post-match press conference.
“Because we had a game on Saturday 0-0 against KCCA) and there were only two days of training for this game. The players were tired,” he confessed.
“But, I made some changes, brought in Dhata (Joseph) and Ssebaggala (Enock), and we started moving the ball quicker and better. I hope we’ll be better in the next game.”
The hosts netted through a Cromwel Rwothomio brace and a goal each from Milton Karisa, Bright Anukani and Yunus Sentamu, while Joseph Akandanwaho and Marvin Oshaba provided the consolation.
The tactician then cursed the lapses in the early stages of the match, which had them concede twice in the first 15 minutes, including a penalty that Anukani dispatched.
This is the biggest score margin for Vipers this season, and particularly under coach Alex Isabirye, who too charge of the Venoms in mid-April after the departure of Brazilians Roberto Oliveira and Beto Bianchi.
“We conceded two goals in the first 15 minutes, which changed everything. After that, it was Vipers’ day because they were better, more clinical, but it’s not the end of the road for us,” added Odoch.
“We’ll regroup and try to prepare and play better in our next game on Friday (against Maroons), our last game at home. I believe we shall bounce back.”
While the result left Express 10th on the log with 31 points after 26 matches, Vipers held onto the summit with 49 points via goal difference, with KCCA FC and SC Villa coming in second and third, respectively.
At the Phillip Omondi stadium, Lugogo, Allan Okello scored the only goal in the game for KCCA to beat BUL FC 1-0 and keep pressure on Vipers.
Elsewhere, Gift Fred and Charles Bbaale scored SC Villa’s goals at the Bombo Military Barracks grounds for the 2-0 victory over UPDF FC.
The three title rivals return to action on Tuesday, May 23 with Vipers taking on BUL FC in Njeru, SC Villa host Blacks Power FC at Wankulukuku while KCCA travel to Busoga United.
Tuesday 16 fultime results:
- Vipers 5 Express FC 2
- KCCA 1 BUL FC 0
- UPDF 0 SC Villa 2
- Wakiso Giants 2 Bright Stars 0
- Arua Hill 1 Busoga United 4
- Blacks Power 3 Gaddafi FC 2
