The lads showed character, resilience and sheer Diehard spirit to snatch a priceless point away at Maroons FC, with substitute Marvin Kavuma producing a moment of ice-cold brilliance to cancel out Ivan Ashaba’s opener in a frantic two-minute spell.
The Bugolobi-based side had the better of a cagey first half but failed to turn territory into clear-cut chances. Daniel Shabene, starting his third consecutive game, came within inches of opening the scoring as early as the seventh minute when his wicked shot going over the bar, leaving goalkeeper Simon Tamale with no much work.
An injury to the lively Shabene forced us into an early change, Joseph Seremba entering the fray in the 16th minute mark. The young midfielder immediately injected pace in the midfield with Kimwero who combined well with Charles Waibi, whose low drive on the half-hour mark was comfortably gathered by Tamale.
As the half wore on, Ibrahim Kiyemba’s pinpoint cross just before the break picked out Joseph Dhata perfectly, but the fast forward could only guide his header over the bar.
Half-time: Maroons FC 0-0 NEC FC
The hosts started the second period with more purpose and were almost ahead in the 57th minute, only for goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo to produce a stunning goal-line clearance with his palm after the ball had been poorly passed back.
KB responded with a double substitution on 58 minutes, introducing Emmanuel Ajo and Marvin Kavuma for Waibi Charles and Allan Mugalu. The changes almost paid instant dividends when Seremba’s delicious cross found Ajo, whose powerful header forced Tamale into a superb reflex save for a corner.
Just when it looked like NEC would be made to pay for our profligacy, the hosts struck. On 74 minutes Ivan Ashaba ghosted in at the far post to steer home a low cross and send the Prisons Ground into raptures.
The lead lasted barely sixty seconds.
From the restart NEC poured forward, won the ball high and Kavuma, showing remarkable composure for a player who had been on the pitch less than twenty minutes, took one-two with Joseph Dhata who released him on goal, and further set himself before guiding a half-volley into the back of the net despairing Tamale.
Late drama followed as Emmanuel Ajo was upended on the edge of the box in the 83rd minute, but the resulting free-kick came to nothing as Paul Mucureezi hit the ball just over that bar. Dhata then passed up a glorious chance in the 88th minute, nodding narrowly wide from another teasing Seremba centre.
In the end, a point apiece was a fair reflection of the encounter.
Linqsoft Aluminium Man of the Match: Marvin Kavuma
Coolness personified when it mattered most. An instant impact from the bench and a goal that keeps our season very much alive.
Team News, NEC FC: Ssebwalunyo; Kiyemba, Dhata, Waibi (Ajo 58’), Mugalu (Kavuma 58’), Warren, Shabene (Seremba 15’), Media (Mucureezi 76’), Kimwero, Kizza, Odongo.
Coach’s reaction:
Up next: Home against Vipers – we go again, Diehards!