NEC FC beat SC Villa to reach Super 8 final

FUFA Super 8

Semifinal 
SC Villa 1 NEC 3

NEC FC produced a stunning second-half comeback on Friday night to defeat defending champions SC Villa 3-1 at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo to reach the FUFA Super 8 final for a second consecutive season.

Villa appeared on course for another victory over NEC after taking an early lead through Najib Yiga, who headed home Reagan Mpande’s inviting cross in the first half in the fourth minute. 

However, NEC returned from the break a different side after head coach Badru Kaddu made two important changes, bringing on teenager Enrique Lubwama and Innocent Media for Pius Obuya and Ssenoga Kagawa.

The introductions immediately gave NEC more attacking impetus, and their pressure eventually paid off in the 56th minute.

Richard Basangwa, a striker in red-hot form levelled the scores after Villa goalkeeper David Lukwago failed to hold Hakim Wandera’s dangerous cross, spilling the ball into the poacher’s path.

Basangwa made no mistake from close range to bring NEC back into the contest.

Four minutes later, NEC completed the turnaround. Wandera again proved dangerous from a set piece, delivering a teasing corner that Villa defender Simon Kato Ssemayange inadvertently turned into his own net as NEC moved 2-1 ahead sending their fans into celebrations. 

Villa responded by throwing men forward in search of an equaliser, with Patrick Kakande and Yiga testing the NEC defence. 

However, goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo stood firm, making several important interventions to preserve NEC’s advantage.

Frank Ssebuufu came closest to restoring parity when his late effort struck the post.

Villa substitutes Andrew Otim and Geoffrey Gagganga also had opportunities but failed to find the target.

With Villa committing players forward, NEC found space to seal the victory in stoppage time.

Ssebwalunyo launched a long goal kick that travelled over the Villa defence and found  Innocent Media. The substitute controlled the ball calmly before slotting it past Lukwago to make it 3-1 and send NEC into the final.

The result gives NEC another chance to win the competition after they finished runners-up last season. Villa defeated them 2-0 in last year’s final at FUFA Stadium Kadiba, lifting the trophy in Zeljko Kovacevic’s first season in charge.

Ssebwalunyo attributed Friday’s comeback win to teamwork and determination.

“I want to thank God for the victory. We managed to come back from behind thanks to teamwork. We knew we had not performed well in the first half, and that motivated us to step up in the second half,” he said.

“We want to win this trophy. Our coaches, fans and management all want it. We missed out last season, but this season we believe it will be ours.”

NEC will face rivals KCCA FC in Tuesday’s final at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo, while Villa will meet Kitara FC in the third-place playoff earlier that day.