NEC FC Too Good for Lugazi as Basangwa Stars in 3-1 Lugogo Victory
KAMPALA: NEC FC continued their impressive start to the new Uganda Premier League campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Lugazi FC at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
The Bugolobi-based side produced a dominant second-half performance to overcome a disciplined Lugazi team that had successfully frustrated them for the opening 45 minutes.
Lugazi entered the break with the game still finely balanced, having kept NEC’s attacking threats under control.
But the complexion of the game changed after the restart as NEC increased the pressure and began exploiting spaces in the Lugazi defence.
Richard Basangwa was among the players who made the difference for NEC, finding the back of the net as the home side turned their dominance into goals.
NEC eventually completed a 3-1 victory as innocent Media scored a brace for the home team with their attacking quality and greater composure in front of goal proving decisive.
For Lugazi head coach Abbey Kikomeko, his side’s first half discipline was undone by a loss of concentration after the interval.
“NEC was a better side all out, though we first held them for the first 45 minutes till my boys lost concentration and conceded stupid goals from silly mistakes. But these are lessons to correct in our coming games,” said Kikomeko.
Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko in action against Allan Mugalu
NEC head coach Kaddu Badru, meanwhile, was pleased with the result but admitted that his team still has plenty to improve, particularly in front of goal.
“There is a difference between playing well and winning the three points. At this time we did it all and the message was clear this time to the boys that every chance they get should be executed, though they missed a lot, which takes us back to the drawing board to rectify those mistakes as our mission is to compete for the silverware this time,” said Kaddu.
The victory further underlines NEC’s ambitions this season, with the club making it clear that they are not simply interested in entertaining football but competing for major honours.
Their presence helped create the atmosphere that made the Lugogo encounter more than just another league fixture, bringing an added dimension to the matchday experience for supporters and football lovers.
For NEC, however, the biggest reward was the three points.
Innocent Media named both Linqsoft Aluminum and Uganda Premier League Man of the Match
The challenge now is to build on this performance, improve their finishing and maintain the consistency required if Kaddu Badru’s side are to turn their ambitions of competing for silverware into reality.
For Lugazi, the defeat offers another lesson in the unforgiving nature of top flight football holding a strong opponent for 45 minutes counts for little if concentration is lost after the break.
At Lugogo, NEC proved too strong when it mattered most.