It was an action-packed weekend of football at both regional and provincial levels, where NEC FC had a significant presence, with both players and our esteemed coach actively involved in the FUFA Drum quarter-finals.
FUFA Drum Quarter-Finals:
In the quarter-finals of the FUFA Drum, NEC FC was well-represented on various sides.
Acholi Province vs. Lango Province: In a thrilling encounter, NEC FC’s captain, Owiny, faced an unfortunate 2-0 defeat as Acholi Province hosted Lango Province in Kitgum. Owiny and his team will be keen on turning the deficit around when they face Acire and the Lango Province in the upcoming matches in the Lango sub-region.
West Nile vs. Buganda Province: In another exciting game, Buganda Province, under the guidance of Coach Ssemuyaba, took on West Nile. Both teams fielded NEC FC players, with Cromwel starting for West Nile, while Kamoga was on the bench for Buganda. The match saw an early lead by West Nile through Cromwel, but Buganda roared back, scoring twice to lead at halftime. The second half saw West Nile equalize, resulting in a tightly contested match that ended without a decided winner after the ninety minutes.
Busoga Province vs. Tooro Province: Innocent Ramos Asiimwe represented Tooro Province, but they faced a tough 3-1 loss against Busoga Province.
Kampala Region – CATDA FC vs. Water FC:
Ssempa and Angello featured for Lufula Boys, CATDA FC, in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Water FC. Ssempa Hamza not only contributed with a goal but also provided an assist.
Speaking about the FUFA Drum, Coach Hussein Mbalangu highlighted the well-structured schedule that doesn’t interfere with our league games, providing valuable game time for the players. He also emphasized that these games expose the boys to various game situations, aiding in the development of their skills.
Our fitness coach, Usama, noted the importance of double licensing, as it allows the boys to gain match fitness, without having to wait for game time with NEC FC to experience competitive football.
As our players return from their regional and provincial engagements, our focus now shifts to our upcoming matchday 7 in the StarTimes UPL against Maroons FC. We are eager to bring this enthusiasm and experience to the Prison Ground in Luzira.