Prime
Nec must avenge Lugazi upset to keep Venoms in sight
Nec head coach Hussein Mbalangu. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
On October 30, Steven Bogere’s Lugazi, now 11th with 20 points, frustrated Nec with a counterattacking setup that paid off in the 70th minute when Sam Ssemugugu capitalized on Ibrahim Kiyemba’s defensive lapse.
Reeling from a 2-0 exit at the hands of Fufa Big League side Blacks Power in the Stanbic Uganda Cup Round of 32, Hussein Mbalangu’s Nec must quickly shift focus back to the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
They sit second in the table with 37 points from 17 matches - three behind leaders Vipers.
With the Venoms set to host Mbarara City on Sunday at Kitende, Nec has no margin for error as they seek revenge against Lugazi, who stunned them 1-0 in the first round at Najjembe Stadium.
On October 30, Steven Bogere’s Lugazi, now 11th with 20 points, frustrated Nec with a counterattacking setup that paid off in the 70th minute when Sam Ssemugugu capitalized on Ibrahim Kiyemba’s defensive lapse.
Worryingly, Nec fell victim to the same approach on Tuesday at Lugogo, as second-choice center-backs Kiyemba and Kevin Bani struggled to contain Blacks Power’s sharp striker, Innocent Maduka.
Lugazi will have taken note - and Mbalangu must have addressed it swiftly.
“We missed many chances, played well in the first half, and brought on experienced players like Emmanuel Ajo, Rashid Okocha, and Mucureezi. But when Mucureezi missed the penalty, the team panicked, and Blacks Power gained momentum,” Mbalangu admitted.
A recent 1-1 draw with another league newcomer - Police - at Kavumba Grounds only adds to the urgency.
With the title race tightening, Saturday’s encounter at the MTN Omondi Stadium is a potential banana skin that Ne cannot afford to slip on if they are to keep Vipers within reach.
Battle in Oil City
Meanwhile, fifth-placed Kitara (25 points) and third-placed URA (27 points) lock horns at Butema Royal Park in in the oil city of Hoima.
It is a clash of two sides enjoying a mini-revival in the league, both already safely through to the Stanbic Uganda Cup Round of 16.
Wasswa Bbosa’s Royals will be out for revenge after suffering a 2-0 defeat in his first game in charge at Nakivubo Stadium, aiming to climb further up the table.
On the other hand, Alex Isabirye’s URA continues its steady resurgence, determined to make up for lost ground and edge closer to their lofty pre-season ambitions.
Bul-lish onslaught
Another resurgent side, Bul (26 points), will be eyeing a routine three points at Kavumba against a struggling Soltilo Bright Stars outfit that finds itself deep in the relegation mire.
Ian Mutenda’s side is reportedly grappling with financial difficulties and has managed just 11 points from 17 matches, scoring a meager 11 goals while conceding 20.
To make matters worse, they welcome Bul at a time when Abbey Kikomeko’s attacking unit has been revitalized by the January arrivals of forwards Vianney Sekajugo and Karim Ndugwa, making the visitors overwhelming favourites to pile more misery on the hosts.
