NEC FC will be without six players for Tuesday night’s Uganda Premier League match against Entebbe UPPC at MTN Omondi Stadium, the club has confirmed.
According to an update published on the club’s official website, Jacob Okao, Hudson Mbalire, Joseph Dhata, Joseph Sseremba, Emmanuel Ajo and Jonathan Oluka are all sidelined with injuries and are currently at different stages of recovery.
Defender Jacob Okao faces the longest spell out after undergoing Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery following a rupture. The club expects him to return to full fitness in about two months.
Midfielder Joseph Dhata is also unavailable after sustaining a fracture to the ulna, an injury projected to keep him out for around five weeks.
Joseph Sseremba is recovering from a right ankle sprain and is continuing his rehabilitation programme. NEC expect the player to resume full training in roughly two weeks.
Jonathan Oluka suffered a right medial collateral ligament sprain combined with a medial meniscal injury. However, the club says he has responded well to treatment and could return to action within a month.
Hudson Mbalire is dealing with a left foot contusion but has already begun a structured return to play programme as he works toward regaining match fitness.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Ajo is also sidelined with a medial collateral ligament sprain and an associated medial meniscal injury. The defender is undergoing targeted rehabilitation and is projected to return in about five weeks.
Despite the injury setbacks, NEC will still be aiming for a positive result against Entebbe UPPC as they look to build on their recent league form.
The Lugogo-based side currently sits seventh in the table with 30 points after 19 matches, five points behind fifth-placed Entebbe UPPC heading into the encounter.
