Express FC head coach Morley Byekwaso has made a passionate plea to the club’s faithful for patience, insisting that his rebuilding process will bear fruit despite a deeply frustrating start to the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season.

The Red Eagles’ struggles worsened on Tuesday following a dramatic two-all draw against lower-ranked Kataka FC. The stalemate extended Express FC’s agonizing winless run to six consecutive league matches, leaving the continuous giants hovering dangerously close to the drop zone.

Express’ last win was stunning 2-0 victory over KCCA FC on match day two but have failed to collect maximum points since. With four draws and two defeats in their last six outings, the Red Eagles sit 13th on the log with just seven points—a mere two points above the relegation zone, having played one or two games more than the teams below them.

The Aerial Leakage

Speaking in a candid post-match interview, a visibly concerned Byekwaso pointed directly to the team’s structural vulnerability in the air as the catalyst for their recent downfall.

“The game has not been good,” Byekwaso admitted. “We keep conceding in set pieces and long throw-ins. It is the same manner in which we conceded in the defeat to UPDF and now against Kataka.”

The tactician warned that rivals have already mapped out this weakness and will continue to exploit it until his backline finds a solution.

“We need to improve in that area because opponents now know we have a leakage in there. That is why teams with aerial presence are capitalizing on that tactical moment.”

Trust the Process

Despite mounting pressure from the stands, the former KCCA and Uganda Cranes interim coach remains optimistic. Known for his track record of nurturing raw talent, Byekwaso reminded critics that transition takes time.

“I am still positive. I am building this team and understand where we have problems,” he noted. “This is a young team that still needs to learn. As a coach who has worked with young players before, I know they have to go through this phase sometimes.”

However, Byekwaso did not shy away from the harsh realities of top-flight football, acknowledging that development cannot be used as a permanent shield for poor results.

“We can’t run away from the fact that we should be winning matches.”

Must-win fixture ahead

The road ahead does not get any easier for the Wankulukuku-based side. Express FC will return to action this Sunday, November 1, in a high-stakes clash against another desperate, relegation-threatened side, Ntugasaze FC.

For Byekwaso, iron out the defensive aerial frailties before Sunday will be the difference between starting the climb back up the table or sinking directly into a relegation dogfight early in the season.