NEC FC’s promising start to the new Uganda Premier League season has been dealt a huge blow after defensive lynchpin Jacob Okao was ruled out for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.
The reliable centre-half suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during NEC’s 2–2 draw with Police FC at Lugogo last Friday, an untimely setback that came barely two matches into the new season.
The club confirmed on Monday that Okao faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, saying: “He’s expected to be out for 6–12 months as he begins his recovery journey.”
With the league set to wrap up around May or June 2026, the towering defender is almost certain to miss the remainder of the campaign. Fortunately, NEC received some positive news as the surgery was successfully performed at Case Clinic under the FUFA Medical Insurance Scheme, ensuring the player is in good hands for his rehabilitation.
Okao’s injury leaves NEC’s backline severely weakened. Since helping the club earn promotion to the top tier, the defender has been an ever-present figure and a true pillar of consistency.
Last season, he featured in every competition, the Uganda Premier League, Uganda Cup, Super 8, and CAF Confederation Cup, standing out for his composure, aerial strength, and leadership at the heart of defence.
His influence was so profound that he was voted NEC’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the 2024/25 season, recognition of a breakout campaign in which he anchored one of the league’s most disciplined defences.
With Okao commanding the backline, NEC conceded just 19 goals in 30 league games, the second-best record in the division behind champions Vipers SC, who allowed only 15.
That defensive resilience was a cornerstone of NEC’s impressive second-place finish, where they ended just two points behind Vipers (69) and tied for the fewest defeats (3) alongside Vipers and BUL.
Losing their defensive general so early in the season presents head coach James Odoch and his technical team with a massive tactical challenge. Replacing Okao’s composure and organizational influence will not be straightforward, and the team must now rely on its depth to stay competitive.
For a club that has risen rapidly through the ranks, this moment will test both NEC’s character and adaptability. Yet, given their recent upward trajectory and strong team spirit, the Die Hards will look to rally together as Okao embarks on the long road to recovery.
