Sports
KCCA pay price for defensive errors against NEC in UPL opener
Richard Basangwa and Pius Obuya scored to give NEC a deserved victory and turn the tables on KCCA, who had beaten the same opponents to win the FUFA Super 8 and end their eight-year trophy drought.
KCCA FC's Lazaro Muhindo (left) fights for the ball with NEC FC's Richard Basangwa during a Uganda Premier League match at the Phillip Omondi Stadium, August 29, 2026. NEC won 2-0. (Photos by Michael Nsubuga)
By: Yekoyada Saaka, Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda Premier League
KCCA 0 NEC 2
KCCA FC head coach Brian Ssenyondo has described his side’s performance as unacceptable after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to NEC FC on Saturday in their opening match of the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League (UPL) season at Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
Richard Basangwa and Pius Obuya scored to give NEC a deserved victory and turn the tables on KCCA, who had beaten the same opponents to win the FUFA Super 8 and end their eight-year trophy drought.
KCCA went into the league opener with high expectations after their impressive Super 8 triumph, but struggled to reproduce the same form against an organised NEC side.
Ssenyondo was particularly unhappy with the way his team conceded both goals and demanded an immediate response from his players.
Ssenyondo was particularly unhappy with the way his team conceded both goals and demanded an immediate response from his players.
NEC FC's Pius Obuya celebrates his goal against KCCA FC during a Uganda Premier League match at the Phillip Omondi Stadium, August 29, 2026. NEC won 2-0.
“When the opponents make it hard for us to score, we should also make it hard for them to score. We gave away two cheap goals. This kind of performance is unacceptable, and we need to bounce back quickly,” Ssenyondo said.
KCCA’s outstanding performers during the Super 8, including Shafik Kwikiriza, Charles Lwanga and Saidi Mayanja, struggled to make an impact, while goalkeeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa was guilty of an error that contributed to NEC’s second goal.
They will now look to respond when they face Express FC on Thursday at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, where they will come up against their former coach Morley Byekwaso.
For NEC, head coach Kaddu praised his players for executing the game plan and said the club is determined to challenge for major honours this season.
“It has been a good game for our fans and sponsors. I thank my players for playing to instructions and also converting the chances we created. This season, we want to win big things,” Kaddu said.
NEC will return to Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Thursday to face UPDF FC, where they will welcome their former coach Hussein Mbalangu.
KCCA’s outstanding performers during the Super 8, including Shafik Kwikiriza, Charles Lwanga and Saidi Mayanja, struggled to make an impact, while goalkeeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa was guilty of an error that contributed to NEC’s second goal.
They will now look to respond when they face Express FC on Thursday at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, where they will come up against their former coach Morley Byekwaso.
For NEC, head coach Kaddu praised his players for executing the game plan and said the club is determined to challenge for major honours this season.
“It has been a good game for our fans and sponsors. I thank my players for playing to instructions and also converting the chances we created. This season, we want to win big things,” Kaddu said.
NEC will return to Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Thursday to face UPDF FC, where they will welcome their former coach Hussein Mbalangu.