NEC’s title hopes fade as Vipers close in on league crown

Uganda Premier League

Wednesday results

Vipers 6 Mbale 0

NEC 1 BUL 1

Although he didn’t openly admit it, NEC head coach Hussein Mbalangu appeared resigned to the reality that the Uganda Premier League title may be slipping away.

His side was held to a 1-1 draw by BUL on Wednesday at the Philip Omondi Stadium in Lugogo, while league leaders Vipers SC thrashed relegated Mbale Heroes 6-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.

The contrasting results widened the gap at the top, with Vipers now seven points clear of second-placed NEC, who remain on 58 points with only three matches left in the 2024/25 season.

Celebrations erupted in Kitende as Vipers fans and players marked their emphatic win, knowing they are now just one victory away from clinching their seventh league title—and fourth in six seasons.

Vipers face BUL next at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on Saturday. A win will seal the title regardless of NEC’s result against Bright Stars. Even a loss could suffice, should NEC also drop points.

Following the draw, Mbalangu was candid in his post-match assessment.

“We didn’t play well. We started slowly, conceded a soft goal, and lacked our usual intensity,” he said. “It was a poor performance across all departments. The task ahead is now even harder. But I still believe BUL can frustrate Vipers like they did us—maybe even beat them. Anything is possible. Sadly, the title race is no longer in our hands.”

In Wednesday’s game, Karim Ndugwa gave BUL the lead in the first half, before Cromwell Rwothomio equalised for NEC in the 86th minute.

Meanwhile, Vipers put on a dominant display in Kitende. League top scorer Allan Okello netted his 18th goal of the season, captain Milton Karisa scored twice, and Yunus Sentamu, Salem Ekbad, and Kenneth Kimera each added one to complete the rout.