We head to UPDF today aiming to win our third-straight league game at the start of the second round in our inaugural season of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, but more importantly, make it a double over them this season.
With already two losses in their games played in the second round, UPDF will be seeking to reignite their pursuit of StarTimes Uganda Premier League football next season they host NEC FC in a crucial game at their backyard, Bombo Military – Ground.
Relegation-threatened UPDF F.C
The soldiers last won a game against BUL FC on 9th November 2023 at their home ground, which was their second win of this season having beaten Busoga United eight days earlier with the same score 2-0.
In the last 10 games of the StarTimes Uganda Premier, UPDF has collected just a single point, coming from their one-all draw against Mbarara City on 11th December 2023 at their home ground in Bombo. The rest have been losses including losing to already relegated Arua Hill SC in Adjuman.
The football club has gone six games – winless and is relegation bound having collected just nine points from the possible 51.
With the club 6 points below the safety line, it will take great work to catch up and with now six consecutive losses, there seems to be no anchor of hope to build on – especially going into a fixture where they scored not even a consolation goal in the first round.
NEC FC’s resurgence
Having had a very good start to the first round cut short by a mixture of losses and unexpected draws, Mbalangu, his technical and playing staff are looking to build momentum on the already won games of the second round heading into the third fixture.
For the first time this season, NEC won four games straight in all competitions, with 3 StarTimes Uganda Premier games and the Round of 64 Stanbic Uganda Cup.
This resurgence is what Mbalangu wasn’t to build on heading into this fixture with the hope he can lead this rejuvenated team to three consecutive wins in the second round which achievement he and the team never saw in the first round.
The January recruits are adapting well, and this has provided him with options both in defense and midfield and will be hoping to exploit any chances to take this team to the best possible position. Numerous options are available for him to select from, to fit his most desired 3:5:2 formation and its adjustments as and when deemed fit, according to the demands of the game.
What Mbalangu says
On the mood in the camp…the mood is very good because we got maximum points in our previous game against Mbarara City, you know after getting a win, it boosts the team although we are having, we got two setbacks, because of our players who were down; Ssebaggala got injured and Okocha is down with Malaria but the rest are ok.
On the changes in the squad…Barni recovered, and he joined the first team training, I think everybody apart from now Okocha and Ssebaggala and then Ssesaazi is down with Malaria, so those are the only three who will miss tomorrow’s game but the rest are available.
So, we shall add two players to the team squad because Kelvin Barni will come back, and we only miss those three who are unable to play.
On UPDF’s recent form… it’s not going to be an easy game because whenever you know now whoever plays NEC comes hard and strong because they know we are hard so it is not a joke even us we are taking the game we are going to play as a final because UPDF is at home, they are a better team you saw how they played with URA at Lugazi, you saw how they conceded, so it is not a joke we are going all out, we are going to get all the three points. We are going to work harder than the previous games against Mbarara City and Busoga United.
Message to the NEC fans…I call them up to come and support the team, and I thank them for the support they gave us, I thank the management, the board, and the well-wishers, who support us and facilitate the team. We are not going to let you down we are going to work harder so that we make you smile, we make you happy, thank you.
Facts and Stats
We are meeting for the second time ever and won the first encounter.
The point difference between us is 21 and we shall be looking to push it to 24 points.
We have taken maximum points from two teams we won against in the first round and shall be looking forward to keeping this stat going forward coming into this game.
We are unbeaten in our last 4 games played while UPDF has gone 7 games without a win or a draw in all competitions including a loss to Pajule Lions in the Stanbic Uganda Cup R64.
Team News
Mbalangu admitted we shall be missing the services of Ssebaggala Enock who is recovering from an injury gotten during the Mbarara City game while Okocha Rashid and Sulaiman Ssesaazi are down with malaria and unable to feature in the matchday squad.
Kelvin Barni returned from injury after three weeks and is fit for selection having trained with the first team in the building to this game, as the rest of the squad is all available.
The game kicks off 1600 and is not a televised game, prepare to watch the game live from the stadium on follow us on our socials for updates.
I thank the manegment of nec iwill always support you