Fahad Bayo scored the decisive objective as NEC FC edged UPDF FC 1-0 at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Tuesday to stay firmly within the Uganda Premier League title race.
The ahead struck shortly after the restart to settle a intently contested Matchday 10 encounter, handing the Diehards their seventh victory of the marketing campaign and maintaining them degree on factors with leaders BUL FC.
NEC got here into the sport trying to transfer to the highest of the standings however confronted a well-recognized opponent within the dugout, with former NEC coach Hussein Mbalangu now in command of UPDF.
The hosts began brightly, with James Jarieko making an early ahead run earlier than sending an effort narrowly vast.
Bayo additionally had alternatives to place NEC forward within the opening half. Within the thirteenth minute, he managed the ball effectively and turned in the direction of objective however despatched his effort vast. Two minutes later, one other alternative got here his means following a great go from Allan Mugalu, however the ahead once more failed to search out the goal.
NEC continued to push, with goalkeeper Kamya known as upon to cope with Jarieko’s supply within the twenty second minute. Bayo additionally missed one other likelihood 5 minutes later because the hosts struggled to show their attacking strain into targets.
UPDF progressively grew into the competition and threatened by Ayesiga, who failed to attach with a harmful low cross within the thirty third minute.
Three minutes later, Kamya produced a great save to parry Ibrahim Musa’s free-kick, denying NEC one other alternative to interrupt the impasse.
NEC have been compelled into an early change within the fortieth minute when Gideon Odongo picked up an damage, with Enock Tumwesigye approaching in his place.
Regardless of creating the higher alternatives, the hosts went into the break annoyed after a goalless first half.
Coach Kaddu Badru Mukasa made one other change on the restart, introducing Enrique Lubwama for Daniel Shabene, and the substitute made an instantaneous influence.
Within the forty seventh minute, Lubwama arrange Bayo, who unleashed a robust long-range effort that flew into the roof of the online to lastly break UPDF’s resistance.
The objective lifted the environment at Lugogo, with NEC rising in confidence as they regarded to increase their benefit.
Bayo got here near scoring once more within the 57th minute when he rose highest to satisfy Ibrahim Musa’s supply, however his header sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
NEC made additional adjustments as they sought to handle the sport, with Marvin Oshaba changing Jarieko within the sixty fourth minute earlier than Emmanuel Ajo and Shamir Kimwero got here on for Bayo and Allan Mugalu within the 73rd minute.
The Diehards, nevertheless, suffered one other setback when defender Jacob Okao went down injured within the 83rd minute.
Having already used all their substitutes, NEC have been compelled to play the remaining minutes with 10 males, giving UPDF a possibility to push for an equaliser.
The guests pressed ahead within the closing phases, however NEC defended resolutely to guard their slender benefit. Faisal Kiberu fired over within the 92nd minute as UPDF’s closing alternative went begging.
NEC held on by 4 minutes of added time to safe an necessary victory, with Ibrahim Musa rewarded for his excellent defensive and general contribution by being named the Linqsoft Aluminium Man of the Match.
The outcome leaves NEC second on the 18-team Uganda Premier League desk with 23 factors from 10 matches, degree with leaders BUL FC, who’ve a recreation in hand.
Regardless of having a superior objective distinction of 14, the Diehards path BUL on the head-to-head rule after dropping 2-1 to the Njeru-based facet earlier within the marketing campaign.
Bayo, in the meantime, continued his spectacular scoring type, discovering the online for the second consecutive league match and sustaining his significance to NEC’s title ambitions.
The league will take a break for the worldwide window earlier than NEC return to motion in opposition to Maroons FC at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, of their subsequent task.
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