Newly promoted league side NEC FC continued their perfect start in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, picking up their first home league win of the season in style.
An emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Busoga United on Friday at the MTN Omondi Stadium earned the Bugolobi-based side their second straight league win.
The match began with the home side showing early promise as Joseph Dhata’s shot narrowly missed the target in the 4th minute, followed by a cleared corner resulting from his deflected effort.
The breakthrough came when Kavuma Marvin capitalized on a defensive mix-up to slot home from close range. Allan Mugalu’s foul in the build-up went unnoticed by the referee, giving us the advantage, we needed.
Mugalu remained a dominant presence, dictating play both in midfield and the final third.
In the 11th minute, Okocha had a chance to double our lead, but his powerful shot sailed over the bar. He had been perfectly positioned to pounce on the rebound from a thunderous Thembo free-kick.
Kimwero then missed a header from Joseph Dhata’s cross as we pressed for a second goal.
The orange-clad side continued to dazzle with the fluid passing, with Kavuma entertaining the fans with his clever nutmegs.
Before the half-hour mark, Okocha calmly converted a penalty, sending the ball into the top left corner after Mugala was fouled in the box.
Busoga United struggled to pose a threat, and we extended our lead further with Allan Mugalu and Kayanja finding the net to seal a spectacular first half.
The home side, killed off the game in the first half, scoring four goals led by captain Marvin Kavuma, who opened the scoring after just eight minutes.
New signing Rashid Okocha doubled the hosts’ lead in the 28th minute from 12 yards after Allan Mugalu was fouled in the box, but that was just the beginning.
Coach Hussein Mbalangu made several substitutions to maintaining dominance throughout the 90 minutes as Busoga United rarely troubled them.
Ssesaazi twice came close with beautifully executed free-kicks that narrowly missed the target. Kaye displayed his skill, turning twice before forcing a fine save from the well-positioned goalkeeper.
In the final minutes of the match, Marvin Kavuma, who had opened the scoring, struck again with a bullet header from a corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
Kavuma Marvin’s brace on his full home debut in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, along with contributions from Okocha, Mugalu, and Kayanja, secured a memorable victory for us at the MTN OMONDI Stadium Lugogo, our home ground.
With this emphatic win, you now lead the league with 6 points, boasting an impressive goal difference of 6 goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Captain Marvin Kavuma’s brace has already placed him at the top of the score sheet.
NEC will take a short trip to Muteesa II stadium in Wankulukuku to take on record SC Villa in their next league game.
Team news
1. Kiirya Samson
2. Kelvin Barni
3. Owinnyi Ronald
4. John Paul Acire
5. Kimwero Shamiru
6. Dhata Joseph
7. Thembo Ibrahim
8. Kayanja Brian
9. Mugalu Allan
10. Okocha Rashid
11. Kavuma Marvin
Used Substitutes:
1. Sserunkuuma Geoffrey
2. Ssesaazi Sulaiman
3. Kaye Ronald
4. Odongo Gideon
3. Angello Ssempijja
Unused Substitutes:
1. Okiria Michael
2. Ssekayi Farouq
