By Lubulwa Edrine
KCCA FC loss to NEC FC has been attributed to recklessness of the players as Hussein Mbalangu ended KCCA FC unbeaten run this season on Uganda premier league match day nine .
KCCA endured yet another tough evening at their home ground, MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo yesterday when they lost 1-0 to NEC FC in the MTN Omondi Stadium Derby.
The match had presented KCCA FC with a crucial opportunity to turn the tide after one all draw with the title contender’s Vipers SC at St Mary’s kitende. However, Abdallah Mubiru’s team fell short of expectations and succumbed to defeat last evening.
Muzamiru Mutyaba scored the lone goal in the 20th minute that gave NEC an away win and subsequently handed KCCA FC their first loss of the season in nine games played so far.
In the 20th minute, as KCCA pushed forward, Mutyaba intercepted the ball, controlled it, and sent a long pass to Mucureezi. Mucureezi returned a precise low cross to Mutyaba, who controlled the ball, took two steps forward, and shot past Emojong to give them an early lead.
Early in the match, Mucureezi tested KCCA’s goalkeeper Emojong with a powerful shot following a cross from Odongo Gideo. Shortly after, Mutyaba attempted a shot but Emojong handled it comfortably, following some sharp play from captain Kavuma.
“It is a disappointment to us but we paid the price for being reckless and it is a very big lesson to us.” Head Coach Abdallah Mubiru told the media briefly after the game.
In a game watched by a sold-out crowd, NEC was the most dominant team and produced a couple of open decent chances but failed to capitalize on any of them. Jerieko james, Muzamiru Mutyaba and Rwothomio Cromwell missed open chances.
Despite the forced changes, Mbalangu’s team held to the game plan. KCCA attempted a comeback, with Sadat Anaku fouled near the box. Usama Arafat’s free-kick went wide, and Anaku failed to connect with Mubezi’s cross, as KCCA’s chances dwindled.
KCCA nearly took an early lead when Saidi Mayanja’s shot went straight to our keeper, Hannigton Ssebwalunyo.
The visitors also squandered a golden chance in the first half when Paul Mucureezi beat the custodian but shot agonizingly wide of the post, before Mutyaba’s late goal that eventually crashed the hosts.
Mubiru believes the team played the first 20 minutes very well to look for a goal but failed to score and that is when they lost the intention and the momentum of the game until they conceded a goal.
He feels, however that they have identified a couple of errors that must be corrected before their next match against URA FC on November 28th, 2024.
The defeat leaves KCCA FC in second place with 18 points, awaiting results from third placed Vipers who face URA today while NEC ascends place to the top of the table with 19 points in nine games so far.
