CAF CL: Express seek for early advantage over Al Merrikh

Uganda Premier League champions Express FC will be seeking for early advantage when they take on Sudanese Giants Al Merrikh in the premilinary round of the CAF Champions league.

The Red Eagles will host Al-Merrikh on Friday evening at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in the first leg of the preliminary round, with the second leg being in Khartoum on 18th September.

Express will hope to draw inspiration from their impressive performance in the CECAFA Kagame Cup truimph last month in Tanzania so as to get past the 16-times Sudanese Premier League champions.

Express are making a long return to the CAF Champions league, having last featured in it in 1997.

In terms of head to head, Al Merrikh has beaten Express allmost everytime they meet each other. Al Merrikh has won three of the five matches in all competitions.

But In the CAF Champions League, Al Merrikh has been unlucky against Uganda sides, having been eliminated by Uganda Sides several times in the last few editions.

The most recent was in 2019 when Vipers Sc eliminated them on away goals rule after a 2-all aggregate scoreline.

Express has a fully fit squad available for selection after Godfrey Lwesibawa returned from an injury he sustained at CECAFA Kagame Cup.