Overview:
Kitara missed the opportunity to tighten the StarTimes Uganda Premier League title race after falling to NEC, leaving leaders Vipers SC in a stronger position with three matches remaining.
Saturday result
Kitara 0-1 NEC
Kitara failed to capitalise on Vipers SC’s slip against URA after suffering a 1-0 home defeat to NEC at Royals Park, Butema on Saturday.
The Royals came into the contest knowing victory would cut the gap on leaders Vipers to three points following the Venoms’ 1-1 draw on Friday.
Instead, Richard Basangwa’s second-half strike handed NEC all three points and left Kitara six points behind the summit with only three games left.
Basangwa struck five minutes after the restart to silence the home supporters in this StarTimes Uganda Premier League clash.
Kitara responded with several attacking substitutions, including the introductions of Muhammad Shaban and Alex Emmanuel Wasswa, but the hosts struggled to break down a disciplined NEC defence.
Kitara’s defeat dented hopes of sustaining pressure on Vipers, while second-placed KCCA remain the closest challengers on 55 points.
NEC’s victory moved them onto 50 points in fifth place, while Basangwa’s decisive contribution earned him the man-of-the-match award.