Record Uganda Cup champions Express FC suffered a shocking Round of 32 exit from the 51st edition of the competition, falling 1-0 to West Nile Regional League side Total FC at Swinga Stadium in Yumbe on Wednesday.
The Red Eagles, 10-time winners of the tournament, saw their quest for an 11th title come to an abrupt end in one of the competition’s biggest upsets. A solitary goal was enough to send the Uganda Premier League outfit crashing out, proving once again the unpredictability of the Uganda Cup.
Express becomes the second UPL side to bow out of this year’s tournament, following Mbale Heroes’ 3-2 defeat to Simba in the Round of 64. Their elimination also extends a dismal run of form, marking their third consecutive defeat in a week—having lost 2-0 to BUL last Wednesday and 1-0 to arch-rivals SC Villa on Saturday.
Meanwhile, SC Villa booked their place in the Round of 16 after edging Simba 1-0 at Namulonge Playground in Gayaza. Aslam Ssemakula netted the decisive goal in the 50th minute, expertly finishing off a well-weighted pass from Frank Mulimi. Despite a spirited effort from Simba, Villa held firm to secure the win, building on their previous 3-0 triumph over Seeta United.
With this victory, the Jogoos—nine-time Uganda Cup winners—remain in contention to equal the joint record of 10 titles held by Express and KCCA.
The Round of 32 action continues on Thursday, February 20, with several key fixtures lined up. Defending champions Kitara will travel to Kibuli to face CATDA, while Vipers SC host Mbarara City in a high-stakes encounter at Kitende.
The eventual Uganda Cup winner will earn the coveted opportunity to represent Uganda in the CAF Confederation Cup.
