BUL, NEC put unbeaten starts on the line in top-of-the-table clash

BUL FC and NEC FC put their unbeaten Uganda Premier League (UPL) starts on the line today when they clash in a top-of-the-table clash at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, with both sides seeking to strengthen their early title credentials.

BUL lead the 18-team table standings with 16 points from six matches, while NEC are on 14 points in third place also from the same games.

Therefore, today’s encounter presents an early opportunity for both teams to demonstrate that their promising starts can translate into a sustained challenge for the title.

The Eastern Giants have won five matches and drawn one, but their history of struggling to maintain consistency across an entire season remains a concern.

Their closest attempt at the title came in the 2023/24 campaign, when they finished second, just one point behind eventual champions SC Villa.

Coach Alex Isabirye has consequently played down title talk, insisting that his players must concentrate on winning matches and improving their performances.

However, beating direct rivals NEC would provide a significant boost to BUL's ambitions while opening a five-point gap over their visitors.

Isabirye will look to Derrick Byabachwezi, Martin Aprem and Lawrence Olaboro to inspire the hosts against an NEC side that has also demonstrated the ability to collect points consistently.

NEC, meanwhile, arrive in Njeru with confidence after Marvin Oshaba and Allan Mugalu scored in their most recent outing, a 2-0 victory over Kigezi HomeBoyz in Kamwenge.

Coach Badru Kaddu has challenged his players to raise their performance levels against the league leaders, acknowledging the quality of their opponents but backing his squad to secure maximum points.

“We have prepared well for this game. We are facing a good team, they are ahead of us, but I believe in the quality within our squad to go there and get three points,” a confident Kaddu said.

Kaddu will hope Oshaba, Richard Basangwa and exciting teenage midfielder Enrique Lubwama can provide the attacking inspiration needed to trouble BUL and extend their unbeaten run.

Although BUL will enjoy home advantage, it is important to remember that last season's meeting in Njeru offers NEC encouragement.

Kaddu's side won 1-0 on that occasion, with Innocent Media scoring the decisive goal.

For BUL, the priority will be to turn their home advantage into three points and demonstrate that they can overcome direct competitors in the title race.

Their ability to convert chances will also be an important test after Isabirye expressed concern about missed opportunities despite the victory over UPDF.

“I am happy that we created chances in our last game but the problem is that we missed so many, and that is an area we have worked on aggressively ahead of our next game,” said Isabirye.

Uganda Premier League

Result

Maroons 4 – 1 Kataka

Today, 4pm

BUL v NEC

Lugazi v Express

Tomorrow

SC Villa v Mbarara

KCCA v UPDF

Kigezi v UPPC

Friday

Vipers v Police