NEC tightened their grip on the Uganda Premier League title race with a 1-0 win over KCCA at the MTN Omondi Stadium, completing a season double over their landlords.
Enock Ssebagala’s ninth-minute header proved decisive, extending NEC’s unbeaten home run to nine matches (eight wins, one draw). The goal stemmed from brilliant teamwork—Paul Mucureezi beat his marker and found Geriga Atendele, whose precise cross allowed Ssebagala to nod past Mutwalib Mugolofa.
NEC nearly doubled their lead moments later when Ssebagala teed up Muzamir Mutyaba, but his effort was saved, and James Jarieko’s follow-up struck the post. KCCA had a goal disallowed for offside in the 25th minute and saw Yian Gatbel’s strike denied by NEC’s goalkeeper Rogers Ssebwalunyo.
A tense moment followed when Ssebwalunyo faced a potential red card, but after consultation, it was downgraded to yellow. KCCA pushed hard after the break, with Gatbel’s curled effort going just wide and Bright Anukani’s late free-kick easily collected by Ssebwalunyo.
For NEC, the victory reinforced their dominance at the venue, echoing head coach Hussein Mbalangu’s bold assertion:
“We want to make this stadium a slaughtering place. Anyone who comes here must die here.”
After the final whistle, he doubled down:
“It is called Slaughterhouse Stadium when NEC is playing and MTN Omondi Stadium when KCCA is playing.”
With the win, NEC moved to 36 points, just one behind league leaders Vipers SC. KCCA remain fourth with 24 points and now face a tough test against Vipers on Sunday. NEC, meanwhile, turn their attention to Police as they continue their title pursuit.
