NEC heads into today’s fixture with all eyes set on leapfrogging the table leaders with a win against SC Villa, as we aim to keep the momentum going and further trouble SC Villa’s season. With already nine games played, we sit one point below the table leaders and have an opportunity to go ahead of them with a win against SC Villa. The visitors, however, have struggled on the road, collecting just one point with their visit to Maroons while losing on three occasions.
SC Villa will find solace in their good scoring record at home where they have scored 6, 5, and 4 goals in single games, but one fact has remained constant: they have been conceding; in 8 of the 9 played games, managing just a clean sheet against UPDF.
The Record
We come into this game with no extra motivation but rather an urge to make amends to an already tainted record, having played SC Villa twice last season without a win or a draw, and without scoring a goal. Mbalangu and his squad will be looking forward to turning the page and winning the first game against the 17-time StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions tonight.
Mbalangu’s Surge
This season, with the leadership of experienced Mbalangu, who added James Odoch to his already experienced staff of Dudu Bosco, Wejuli, and Muwada, we have been surging and bringing down strongholds unapologetically! We began with the current table leaders, securing a convincing 3-1 win, headed to Kitara for a 2-1 victory, with our latest target KCCA falling to a 1-0 win after the experienced Mucureezi and Mutyaba combined to dent their former paymasters.
What Managers Say:
Watch here as Coach Mbalangu speaks to the media: https://youtu.be/wERamDvkgHE?si=VtexvYXRkWO8a9m3
Team News
Joseph Dhata, Kelvin Barni, and Kakomo are still sidelined as they continue their recovery while Kavuma Marvin and Cromwell will have to undergo a late fitness test to confirm their availability for this encounter with Atendele set to miss the game after accumulating 3 yellow cards.
Facts and Stats
– We have met SC Villa 2 times in the UPL and lost both games.
– NEC has not scored against SC Villa in the UPL, while SC Villa has scored 5 times in the two encounters.
– NEC has kept 4 clean-sheets this season.
– NEC has scored 12 goals while conceding just 6 goals.
– SC Villa has not managed a win away from home this season and has conceded in all four encounters on the road.
– SC Villa has scored the most goals (21) this season while ranking 6th among those who have conceded the most with 11 goals.
– SC Villa has managed just one clean-sheet.