NEC seek redemption against Ntugasaze

• Uganda Premier League | MD 8 | Tuesday, October 27
• NEC FC Vs Ntugasaze FC – Phillip Omondi Stadium | 4:00 p.m.

NEC FC will be eager to put their first defeat of the season behind them when they host struggling Ntugasaze FC in the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League at Phillip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

Kick-off will be at 4 p.m., three hours earlier than initially scheduled, as the Diehards seek an immediate response to their 2-1 defeat away to league leaders BUL FC in Njeru.

The loss ended NEC’s unbeaten start to the 2026/27 campaign, but coach Badru Kaddu wants his players to respond by tightening their defence and taking their chances.

“We are coming from a loss; we squandered so many chances, and our defence was fragile. But this time around we are trying to see to it that we go back to being invisible and not conceding goals, but at the same time putting out the chances,” Kaddu said.

NEC sit third with 14 points from seven matches, having won four, drawn two and lost once. They have scored 12 goals and conceded four, giving them a +8 goal difference.

Despite Ntugasaze’s struggles, Kaddu has warned his players not to take their opponents lightly.

“They are new entrants, but I’m always emphasising that whatever team is in the Premier League is a big one; they are a big team. I don’t want to mention their weakness, but we are prepared with the objective of pursuing to see to it that we are one of the competitors and big teams in the Premier League of Uganda.

“We are prepared, our boys, and we hope they are in good shape, and they give us a very good result,” he said.

Kaddu believes NEC must prove their ambitions on the pitch, regardless of the opposition.

“It is always repeated that the teams that we are playing are all from the Premier League, so there is no small team. If you want to be one of the great competitors and big teams, it carries the responsibility of being great.

“You also have to show that you are great by taking away whatever team that comes up. So tomorrow we hope whoever is going to be chosen to represent our team, the Diehards, will also exhibit our slogan,” he added.

Diehards bank on home advantage

NEC have been strong at home, winning two of their last three matches at Lugogo, and will look to that record for inspiration.

They opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over KCCA FC in the Lugogo derby before beating Lugazi FC 3-1. A goalless draw away to Mbarara City followed, before they thrashed URA FC 4-1.

NEC then drew 0-0 with Express FC before beating Kigezi Homeboyz 2-0 away. Their winning run ended against BUL, leaving Kaddu’s side keen to get back on track.

Midfielders Enrique Lubwama and Allan Mugalu will be central to NEC’s efforts to unlock Ntugasaze’s defence, creating chances for James Jarieko, Richard Basangwa, Marvin Oshaba, Fahad Bayou and Innocent Media.

However, NEC will be without Warren Bule, while Pius Obuya is struggling with an injury.

“Warren Bule will not be around, Pius Obuya is also struggling with an injury, but the persons who will be around will represent us well,” Kaddu said.

The change in kick-off time has not unsettled the coach, who says his players are prepared for different conditions.

“We welcome whatever factors because it is part of our jurisdiction. We are preparing the boys in all factors, in all weather, when it is raining, when it is sunny. Sometimes we go and play at night, and the boys are ready,” he said.

Ntugasaze seek revival

Ntugasaze arrive in Lugogo in need of a turnaround. The newly promoted side sit 16th in the 18-team table with three points from six matches, having won once and lost five times.

They have scored three goals and conceded 13, leaving them with a goal difference deficit of 10.

Their only victory came on October 7, when they beat Mbarara City FC 1-0 at home. They lost 1-0 away to Blacks Power, 3-1 at home to Maroons FC and 4-1 away to BUL FC before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Vipers SC.

Their latest outing ended in a 2-0 home loss to KCCA FC on October 13. Their Matchday Seven fixture against Kitara FC, scheduled for October 20, was postponed.

Ntugasaze will hope Jacob Opar, Fahad Nsamba and Ronald Kaye can provide the goals needed to trouble NEC. Each of those players has scored once this season.

Opar offers a threat down the left wing, Nsamba brings creativity from attacking midfield, while Kaye helps dictate play in the middle of the park.

Johnson Odongo has also returned to the side after a brief absence and made an impact following his debut.

For Ntugasaze, a positive result would offer a much-needed boost and will put them out of the red zone above Express FC, level on 6 points. NEC, meanwhile, will be expected to make home advantage count as they seek to recover from their first defeat and maintain their push near the top of the table onto 17 points level with SC Villa.

Elsewhere, SC Villa host Blacks Power at Wankulukuku, Kigezi HomeBoyz visit Police FC at the Police Arena, while UPDF welcome URA FC to Hamz Stadium. Both matches kick off at 4:00 p.m.

Express FC will face Kataka FC at Hamz Stadium at 7:00 p.m.

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