Musician-turned-footballer Rickman and his girlfriend, popular TikTok dancer and influencer Gia Nina, stole the spotlight on Thursday evening as Express FC defeated rivals KCCA FC in the Kampala derby at Hamz Stadium.
It was a memorable night for Rickman, who marked his competitive debut for Express by scoring as the Red Eagles secured a 2-0 victory over the 13-time Uganda Premier League champions.
Rickman, whose real name is Derrick Ddungu, came off the bench and made an immediate impact, finding the back of the net in added time to seal the victory for Express.
Isaac Wagoina had earlier given the Red Eagles the lead in the 51st minute before Rickman, wearing the number 9 shirt, put the result beyond doubt with a late second goal.
The victory over KCCA gave Express a strong start in one of the standout fixtures of the new Uganda Premier League season, but Rickman’s goal was not the only moment that caught the attention of fans.
Among those cheering him on from the stands was his girlfriend, Gia Nina, who had turned up to support Express and watch Rickman make his debut for the club.
After the final whistle, Rickman headed straight to Gia Nina, and the couple shared a passionate kiss in a moment that quickly became one of the talking points of the evening.
The 29-year-old joined Express at the start of the new season, marking his return to competitive football and adding another chapter to a sporting journey that began long before he became known to many as a musician.
Although he has built a successful profile in Uganda’s music industry, football has always been part of Rickman’s life. He began his journey with Kampala Junior Team (KJT) and Friends of Football (FOF) before moving to Sweden, where he played for Dalen KFF, Gunnilse IS and Sävedalen IF.
Playing mainly as a forward and winger, Rickman’s progress was later disrupted by a serious knee injury that kept him out of competitive football for an extended period.
The setback saw him shift his focus to music, where he went on to release several popular songs and establish himself as a recognised artiste.
He later ventured into radio as a presenter at 106.5 NRG Radio and has also taken part in corporate boxing events.
