NEC and KCCA renew their rivalry on Thursday night in a high-stakes Uganda Premier League clash at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, as Match Day sixteen concludes.
NEC, currently second on the table with 33 points, are pushing to keep pace with leaders Vipers SC, while fourth-placed KCCA, sitting on 24 points, seek redemption after a turbulent end to the first round.
A win for NEC would not only move them closer to Vipers but also mark a historic league double over their landlords, having won the first-round encounter 1-0 through former KCCA midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba.
For KCCA, the game presents an opportunity to recover lost ground after the FUFA Disciplinary Panel ruled against them for fielding ineligible defender Gavin Kizito, costing them three crucial points.
NEC head coach Hussein Mbalangu expects a tough challenge but remains confident. “It’s going to be a tough fixture. I know they will come out seeking revenge, but we are very ready for them,” he said.
His side will be buoyed by the presence of experienced figures like Paul Mucureezi and goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan, both of whom previously played for KCCA.
KCCA, on the other hand, are dealing with squad setbacks.
In addition to Gavin’s suspension, Julius Poloto, Peter Magambo, Usama Arafat, Raynold Ssebaduka, and Hassan Muhamood are all ruled out due to injuries.
However, new signing Umar Lutalo is in line for his debut and could inject fresh creativity into the side.
A win for KCCA would see them leapfrog Express into third place after the Red Eagles fell 2-0 to BUL on Wednesday.
NEC could hand debuts to new arrivals Alpha Ssali and Ibrahim Kasinde, but they will be without Ibrahim Tembo and Ibrahim Kiyemba, both sidelined with malaria.
The Diehards will look to control proceedings through midfield dominance, with experienced figures like Paul Mucureezi and Marvin Kavuma orchestrating attacks.
Their defensive discipline will also be crucial against a KCCA side eager to break their resistance.
For KCCA, Abdallah Mubiru’s men must find a way to break NEC’s defensive structure while remaining compact at the back.
Without several key players, they will need their creative unit to step up and deliver.
Since NEC’s promotion last season, they have faced KCCA three times, with the former winning twice and losing one.
KCCA triumphed 3-0 in the first leg of the 2023/24 season before NEC responded with a 2-0 win in the return fixture.
This season, NEC edged the Kasasiro Boys 1-0 in November, giving them the chance to complete their first-ever double over KCCA.
With both teams eager to make a statement in their second-round opener, the battle for Lugogo promises to be a thrilling contest under the lights.
Kickoff will be at 7pm.
