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Express FC is the oldest club in the top-flight league even though the traditional giants have found consistent success elusive.
It is for that reason that I chose their best-ever side from the seventies and nineties generations. Yet again, I have no place for the once-unplayable Mu-Mu strike duo of Andrew Mukasa and Hassan Mubiru.
The former was a spent force when he joined in 2002 and although Hassan Mubiru scored at will, finishing league top-scorer on three occasions, Issa Sekatawa eclipses those feats.
Goal: JOSEPH MASAJJAGE
Arguably the greatest goalie in the history of Ugandan football, Masajjage joined Express in the mid-sixties as an outfield player. It was Jolly Joe Kiwanuka, the Express supremo, who converted him into a great goalkeeper.
The commanding figure won back-to-back league titles in 1974 and 1975 league titles and since his retirement in 1976, the void has never been filled when it comes to consistency.
The likes of Fred Lukwago, Steven Segujja, David Drony, John Tebusweke and Abu Kigenyi all failed to equal the explosive custodian. He passed away in 1996.
Right back: GEORGE SSIMWOGERERE
He was never given due credit by a section of the club faithful but the towering defender was a pillar in Express teams of the 1990s. He led the revolution which returned the club to the summit of Ugandan football after 18 years of playing second fiddle to SC Villa. He played an integral role in the club’s six major titles including the 1995 league and Cup double.
Sim, as he was popularly known, was versatile and executed all defensive roles. His 13-year career at Wankulukuku, in which eight were spent as club skipper, takes him above Fred Sekasi, Edward Kalungi, Godfrey Nyola and Dan Lutalo.
Left back: ASHE MUKASA
Always the smartest player on the field, Mukasa was tagged ‘Lord’ by football fans. His overlaps on the left wing and smart game reading always left his opponents bewildered.
Mukasa arrived at Express from NIC and was straightaway drafted into the club’s first team in which he remained the first-choice left back for both the club and Uganda Cranes for more than six years. Of course, Joseph Kiwanuka, Kennedy Lubogo and William Makumbi are worthy mentions for the position.
Centre back: PHILLIP OBWIN
The industrious player joined Express directly from Old Kampala SS in 1992 and became the focal point of coach David Otti’s mission of building a formidable Express side.
To this day, I rate him as the most versatile player to wear the Red Eagles’ jersey and played virtually all positions apart from goalkeeping.
His best, however, was centre half and could be paired with any player without disrupting the team’s rhythm. Whereas some may question his loyalty after crossing to SC Villa, Obwin returned to Express after just two seasons and made the club shine again.
Centre back: WILSON NSOBYA
He was tagged doctor because of his clinical execution of dead balls. Nsobya joined Express in 1968 as a teenager and left in 1972 to join Police.
His return in 1974 saw Express win back-to-back league titles (1974 and 1975) and he was a rock in the backline that had Henry Matte, Ashe Mukasa and Fred Sekasi.
He played in all defensive roles but his best position was centre half. One school of thought rates Ibrahim Dafala ahead of him but I only watched Dafala during his last days. George Serunjogi, Cloves Segujja and Patrick Kigongo deserve honorary mentions.
Central midfield: PAUL NKATA
He solved the club’s problem of a midfield enforcer when he arrived in 1981 from Bunamwaya. His quick adaptation and the freshness he brought into the team was the reason club faithful tagged him ‘latest’.
Nkata was a joy to watch, especially his mobility, game reading and passing. Those attributes greatly endeared him to fans. He was Express skipper for four years (1988-1991) before crossing to SC Villa.
Central midfield: MIKE KIGANDA
Coach Robert Kiberu spotted him in 1975 and molded him into the star who was The Cranes’ undisputed midfield general between 1976 and 1978. Computer, as he was popularly known, compensated for his diminutive size with pace and tirelessness.
He was also a good dribbler and his understanding with Badru Kakembo made Express unbeatable before the infamous state ban in 1977. Kiganda passed on in August 1985. The duo of Joseph Mutyaba and William Kyambadde was solid but not as effective.
Right midfield: STANLEY MUBIRU
He was tagged ‘Tanker’ because of his rugged physical strength and the way he filtered through the opposition defense. Speed was his key weapon and he was a fine crosser of the ball, often creating assists for teammates.
Opponents dreaded marking him due to his sturdiness and it was almost impossible to bring him down. He passed away in 1989. Jimmy Muguwa and Joachim Matovu came closest to what he did but there can only be one Mubiru.
Left midfield: FRED MUKASA
Speed merchant Fred Mukasa owned the Express left flank for all the time he spent with the club. I will never forget Mukasa’s understanding with Issa Sekatawa in the early 1980s, which resulted in quite a number of vital goals.
Express was a sleeping giant before Mukasa arrived from Nile in 1982 and two years later he earned the club’s arm-band, leading the club to the 1985 Uganda Cup – the first major cup in eight years. John Ntensibe and Kefa Kisala are worth mentioning in the position.
Centre forward: FRED TAMALE
I still believe Fred Tamale never fulfilled his potential, going by the proverbial toolbox he had in the 1990s. Tamale arrived from Luzira-based Bell FC in 1993 and became an instant hero due to his trickery on the ball.
Express’ performance at the time depended on Tamale’s form and the game plan of rival clubs was made depending of Tamale’s presence.
He was not just a dribbling master and entertainer but also a good passer and goal scorer. His goal against SC Villa in the first-ever game at Namboole stadium still stands out. The main challenger for the position would have been Robert Aloro but he was injury-prone.
Centre forward: ISSA SEKATAWA
‘Goals are my business’ was the slogan inscribed on the popular Sekatawa-branded T-shirts during the 1980s.
The ‘Golden Boy’ was a goal-scoring machine who on many occasions singlehandedly won games for Express. His partnership with Mukasa netted more than 75 per cent of Express goals from 1982 to 84.
No team was safe when Sekatawa was on the pitch; he spectacularly scored with almost every part of the body. Headers, bicycle-kicks, volleys, piledrivers, and flicks; name it, Sekatawa could do it. Like Mubiru, Sekatawa is a three-time league top scorer.
The likes of Peter Kirumira, Edward Semanda and Andrew Arinaitwe also did a commendable job for the club.
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