Express have handed NEC their first defeat of the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League season.
The Red Eagles edged the Diehards 2-1 at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo on Thursday evening.
Express scored twice in the first half through Geoffrey Gagganga and Ronald Andabati while Cromwell Rwothomio netted for NEC in the second half.
Gagganga broke the deadlock in the fifth minute and that was his first goal for the club since joining from University Football League side Uganda Christian University (UCU).
Andabati doubled the Red Eagles’ tally in the ninth minute off new signing Richard Basangwa’s brilliant assist.
Rwothomio pulled one back for the visitors at the full hour mark but the hosts managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory.
It was Rwothomio’s second goal of the season having scored in their opening game of the season against his former club Vipers.
Coming into Thursday’s encounter, Hussein Mbalangu’s charges had a perfect run of three straight wins and that is no more.
They had defeated Vipers 3-1 at home in Lugogo, Kitara 2-1 away in Hoima, and UPDF 1-0 at home in Lugogo.
Meanwhile, Baker Mbowa’s team registered their second win of the season, the first since the opening day of the season when they beat newly promoted Mbale Heroes by the same margin and at the same stadium.
Express have now climbed to the fifth position on the 16-team log with seven points while NEC stay second with nine points after four games.
The Red Eagles will visit newbies Police in Kavumba after the international break on October 16 whilst NEC will host Maroons at Lugogo on October 19.
