The Uganda Premier League was last week halted with five games left after domestic football governing body Fufa invoked the 75 per cent rule in the competition's regulations and declared Vipers champions StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions.
This led six-time champions and Betway-sponsored Express FC to finish ninth on the 16-team log.
The abrupt climax drew a mixed response from coach Wasswa Bbosa who was delighted after his team steered away from any relegation talk with a run of three wins, a draw and single loss from his five league matches in charge.
It, however, saw him finish outside the top eight, his target when he took over the reign from George Ssimwogererein February.
“I wanted Express to finish among the top eight. That was my target and that is the only disappointment that I have because we had agreed on a bonus with my employers if had achieved it,” Bbosa reveals.
Despite that minor setback Bbosa, whose contract ends next month expects to still be at Wankulukuku for the start of next season.
“My contract was supposed to end in June but I’m optimistic it will be extended.,” he added.
Bbosa who is in his third stint is also pleased with the current state of affairs at the Betway-sponsored club he left in 2016 amid financial struggles.
“I was surprised by the situation I found on my return. Players are looked after well and all the basics such as player salaries; transport and bonuses are in place, which was not the case before. So it is now up to us the coaches and players to step up with improved results," he further explains.
Bbosa also called for more reinforcements if the club are to avoid the early season struggles suffered in the just-concluded campaign to be able to compete favourably next season.
“Everyone has a different approach to coaching. But I thought the players’ level was down. Tactically it about mostly our positioning which was bad that is why we were conceding a lot of goals.
We have some good players that could even help a team compete for a title. But we need to add a few more to have a balanced team so as to compete,” he opines.