Stubborn Blacks Power face high-scoring NEC

• Uganda Premier League| MD 9 | Saturday October 31st
• Blacks Power FC Vs NEC FC – BCS Sports Complex | 4 p.m

Blacks Power FC have shown they can stand their ground against Uganda Premier League heavyweights, but they face another stern test this evening when free-scoring NEC FC visit the BCS Sports Complex in Bukedea.

The Diehards arrive for today’s 4 pm encounter, Saturday, October 31, with one of the most dangerous attacks in the league. They have scored 17 goals in eight matches, a tally they nearly share with SC Villa (16), and will be keen to add to that collection against a Blacks Power side eager to turn home advantage into valuable points.

The match, initially scheduled for Friday, October 30, was moved to Saturday, giving both teams an extra day to prepare for what promises to be a competitive encounter.

NEC are firmly in the title conversation, sitting third with 17 points from eight matches. They trail leaders BUL FC by two points and second-placed SC Villa by one. Victory in Bukedea would take them to 20 points and pile pressure on the teams above them.

Blacks Power, meanwhile, are looking to make their mark after earning promotion as FUFA Big League champions. Their start to the 2026/27 season has been mixed, with three wins, one draw and three defeats leaving them around seventh place on 13 points.

The Power Men travel into this contest on the back of a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to SC Villa on October 27. That result, coupled with their recent victory over URA FC, offers encouragement as they seek to build some consistency.

However, NEC’s attacking numbers make them a dangerous opponent to face.

The Diehards announced themselves with a 2-0 away victory over KCCA FC on the opening day before going unbeaten through their first six matches. A convincing 4-1 win over URA FC was among the highlights of that run.

Their unbeaten start ended on Matchday Seven when they lost 2-1 away to BUL FC, but they quickly put that disappointment behind them, thrashing Ntugasaze FC 5-1 on October 27.

With 17 goals scored and only five conceded, NEC have shown they can hurt opponents at one end while remaining organised at the other. Their defensive effort has been strengthened by goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo, whose performances recently earned him a call-up to the Uganda Cranes national team.

Up front, Marvin Oshaba has been leading the charge with four goals. Blacks Power will need to keep the forward and striker James Jarieko quiet if they are to prevent the visitors from dictating the game.

Yet the hosts have their own reasons for believing they can trouble NEC. Their last notable competitive meeting came in the Uganda Cup in February 2025, when Blacks Power secured a 2-0 victory over the Diehards.

Although the circumstances have changed since then, that result is a reminder that NEC are not invincible.

Blacks Power will hope to find the goals they need through Micheal Siwu, Emmanuel Akech and Innocent Maduka, who are expected to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility.

The Bukedea side will also be looking to make the most of their new home surroundings. They have moved their home matches to the BCS Sports Complex for the 2026/27 campaign, leaving behind their previous arrangement, and will want to make the venue a difficult place for visiting teams.

NEC coach Badru Kaddu, however, insists his players are prepared for the challenge, even though a few members of his squad are struggling with their fitness.

“Blacks Power is another team so close to the top of the league. We are prepared, and all our boys are in good shape. A few of them are not in good shape, including Mustapha Mujuzi and Warren Bule, but the ones who are present will be representing us on Saturday,” Kaddu said.

The coach expects his players to approach the match with the right attitude as NEC continue their pursuit of the league’s leading sides.

“I’ve always emphasised that our objective is to compete with some of the favourite teams. We have prepared well for any challenger who comes across us, and the boys’ attitude is good too. We hope to get there, perform well and get a good result,” he added.

Blacks Power’s challenge is to frustrate NEC’s attack while taking their own chances when they come. For the visitors, it is about maintaining the form that has made them one of the league’s leading contenders.

The points on offer add to the stakes. A victory would take NEC to 20 points, while a win for Blacks Power would lift them to 16 points if their current tally is 13 from seven matches.

Both sides therefore have plenty to play for, but the hosts will need to combine the stubbornness that has characterised their performances with greater precision in front of goal if they are to derail NEC’s title ambitions.

Elsewhere, five other fixtures are scheduled as the Uganda Premier League serves up a busy Saturday.

Mbarara City host KCCA FC, while leaders BUL FC welcome Entebbe UPPC FC at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. Both matches kick off at 4pm, the same time Lugazi FC entertain SC Villa at Lugazi FC Stadium in Najjembe.

At 5pm, UPDF FC take on Kitara FC at Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo before URA FC face Vipers SC at the same venue in an 8pm kick-off.

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