NEC will be seeking redemption as they face on-form Police in today’s lone Uganda Premier League clash at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo.
The Bugolobi-based side aim to put their recent setback behind them after a narrow 1-0 loss to league newcomers Lugazi, a defeat that saw NEC relinquish their top position in the standings.
Currently sitting in third place with 15 points, NEC have a chance to regain their lead if they secure victory.
A win could elevate them above Vipers and current leaders KCCA, who face off on Saturday in another highly anticipated fixture.
Head coach Hussein Mbalangu is confident his side can bounce back, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity.
“The league is a marathon, and we shall bounce back,” Mbalangu stated, stressing that the team has moved on from the loss and shifted focus to the Police game.
For their part, Police arrive with confidence after a 2-1 victory over Mbale Heroes at Kavumba.
Strikes from Ben Ocen and Isaac Ogwang boosted Police to 10 points from seven matches, positioning them solidly mid-table.
Head coach Abdallah Mubiru will likely be looking to build on that momentum to climb further up the standings.
The encounter marks the first-ever Uganda Premier League meeting between NEC and Police, adding another layer of anticipation.
A couple of seasons ago, the two sides shared wins in the Big League, with Police winning 1-0 at Kavumba and NEC triumphing 2-0 at Bugolobi.
Notably, NEC also eliminated Police from the Stanbic Uganda Cup, reaching the final in a standout campaign.
Team news brings a boost for both sides. NEC will have Ibrahim Thembo back in the lineup, while defender Reagan Male remains unavailable for Police.
For NEC, injuries to key players Amir Kakomo and Joseph Dhata will continue to test their squad depth.
With a history of closely contested encounters, both NEC and Police are likely to play with high intensity.
NEC will be particularly motivated to recover their lead position, and Police, coming off a victory, aims to narrow the gap in points.
