NEC turned the Philip Omondi Stadium into a fortress once again, edging Maroons 1-0 in a tightly contested Uganda Premier League clash on Saturday.
Rather than a free-flowing encounter, the match was defined by discipline and patience, with NEC showing greater composure in decisive moments. Maroons, well-organised at the back early on, managed to frustrate the hosts through much of the opening exchanges.The breakthrough came against the run of Maroons’ resistance midway through the first half when Richard Basangwa reacted quickest inside the box, pouncing on a loose ball to slot home what would prove to be the difference.
After the restart, Maroons showed more intent and pushed higher up the pitch, but their efforts lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble NEC’s backline. Despite enjoying spells of possession, they struggled to convert pressure into clear scoring chances.
NEC, on the other hand, remained compact and efficient, doing just enough to protect their slender lead and secure another important result.
The win marks a third consecutive triumph for NEC, highlighting their growing consistency as the season progresses. They climb to fifth place on 40 points, while Maroons remain ninth with 29 points after 23 matches.
