Maji coach Isa Isabirye rubbishes Red Eagles

Second round
April 7
Express v Maji FC
K. Mukono v City Lads
Masaka LC v Victor
Iganga TC v KCC FC
Kinyara v URA FC

MAJI FC coach Isa Isabirye has described league rivals Express FC as a paper tiger that can't cause harm to his team. Express hosts Maji in one of the five fixtures that open the National Super League second round on Saturday at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

"A tiger is a fierce animal when found physically but when drawn on a piece of paper, it has no harm because it's just a picture. Express is not any different from that. They were once a super power but not any more. It's just the name they still hold," said Isabirye.

He said Express' only weapon now is a fierce home crowd. "The only scare they (Express) remained with is the rowdy crowd at their home ground but they are no longer the giant side we used to know. We are not afraid to face them because we know they are a side to beat," said Isabirye.

Bottom placed Kanoni Mukono plays City Lads and Masaka is up against Victor the same day. 1997 champions Kampala City Council FC who are second in the league, meanwhile travel to Iganga and league leaders Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) play Kinyara in Masindi.

Express drew 1-1 with KCC in their first round fixture at Nakivubo Stadium.
However, Maji will be without leading striker Asadi Makibwe ( six goals) and winger Godfrey Kilewa who are down with knee and thigh injuries respectively.

Elsewhere, KCC coach Jackson Mayanja has admitted that he is faced with a tough fixture when he travels to Eastern Uganda to play Iganga FC.

"They (Iganga) are such a stubborn team and I should say it's going to be a big challenge for us to open up with them at their ground. But one thing to note is that in modern football we no longer have this home advantage thing, what is important is the result," he said .

KCC beat Iganga 2-0 in the first round, courtesy of goals from the league's leading scorer Hamis Kitagenda and Jamil Kasita. Mayanja said the league is much more competitive than when he was a player.

"This is the strongest league ever organized in the country. Teams are neck and neck unlike the years we played in when one team took a 15 or 20 point lead," said Mayanja.