Second-placed NEC FC have the chance to go top of the Uganda Premier League—at least for a few hours—when they visit Police at Kavumba Grounds on Sunday afternoon.
With just one point separating them from leaders Vipers, a win would see them momentarily seize the summit, piling pressure on the Venoms ahead of their later clash with KCCA.
Infact, NEC just need a draw to top the league, and if Vipers lose to KCCA, the Diehards could stay top of the league since they have a better head-to-head record than the Venoms.
Hussein Mbalangu’s men are riding high after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over KCCA on Thursday, a result that further underlined their credentials as genuine title contenders.
Enock Ssebagala’s well-taken goal secured that win, and they will look to carry the same momentum into their clash against a struggling Police side.
For the Cops, this fixture presents an opportunity for redemption after their 1-0 defeat to Lugazi last time out.
Sitting 11th on the table with 18 points, they are still not entirely safe from the relegation scrap, making this game a crucial battle for survival.
The last meeting between these two sides ended in a goalless stalemate at Lugogo, but with so much on the line, a repeat of that cagey affair seems unlikely.
NEC know that if they can at least manage a draw, they will remain in the title fight, but a victory would send a clear message to Vipers that they are ready to go the distance.
With the league at its boiling point, NEC having everything to play for, while Police desperate to avoid being dragged into the relegation dogfight, the battle at Kavumba promises to be fierce.