NEC pip Villa to return to the top

StarTimes Uganda Premier League 

Results, Friday, November 29, 2024

Maroons 0-0 BUL

NEC 2-1 SC Villa

NEC are back at the top of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League table following a 2-1 victory over champions SC Villa at the MTN Omondi Stadium on Friday.

Paul Mucureezi and second half substitute Cromwell Rwothomio scored for NEC while Hakim Kiwanuka got Villa’s consolation.

There was nothing to separate the two sides after 45 closely contested minutes.

But NEC then took the initiative, breaking the deadlock on 57 minutes thanks to a Mucureezi volleyed drive. 

Villa defence failed to clear a long free kick from the left and after the ball making turns between both sets of players, Enoch Ssebagala laid it on for Mucureezi, who met it before it landed to half-volley home a screamer from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors hit back 14 minutes later, striker Charles Lwanga falling deep to collect the ball and start a move.

The young forward passed it on and a beautiful exchange of passes ensured with NEC on the back foot.

The move ended with Simon Kato Ssemayange teeing on an in-flight Kiwanuka, the latter brilliantly finishing from close range for 1-1 on 71 minutes.

Yet, if coach Hussein Mbalangu’s men suffered a punch, it never took them down.

The Lugogo side restored their lead four minutes to full time.

The Blues failed to deal with a NEC corner, with Gideon Odong scrapping the ball into Rwothomio’s path for the forward to beat Braddy Wokorach in Villa’s goal with a close half volley.

NEC’s seventh victory in 10 matches saw them return to the top of the log on 22 points, two more than Vipers SC, who face Kitara on Saturday.

Coach Morley Byekwaso’s Villa, who have now lost won four and won as many in 10 matches, are fifth on 14 points.

Earlier, Maroons and BUL could only afford a goalless draw in Luzura. Matchday 10 concludes on Saturday.