NEC FC secures seventh win with Kayanja’s heroics.
Goalless at halftime:
In a thrilling encounter against Arua Hills, we celebrated our seventh victory of the season, marking the conclusion of an eventful first round in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. Kayanja Brian emerged as the hero, netting two crucial goals in the second half.
The first 45 minutes saw both teams locked in a goalless battle, with end-to-end action. NEC FC initiated several goal-scoring attempts, including Ssesaazi’s near miss hitting the post, Cromwel and Mugalu’s well-dealt shots, expertly handled by the Arua Hills goalkeeper among others just inches over the bar
However, Arua Hills posed a threat with two breakaways that narrowly missed the mark, leaving the first half evenly poised.
Come back
As the second half kicked off, Acire John Paul made way for Kayanja Brian, who took on the left wing back position. Despite adding pace to the game, Kayanja initially found it challenging to create scoring opportunities from this role. A tactical switch moved him to a central position, proving decisive as he scored a brilliant equalizer in the 61st minute off a well-weighed Sseggala cross.
The turning point came as Kayanja, within a span of 19 minutes, secured his brace, clinching the victory for NEC FC for the first time this season coming from a losing position.
Ssebagala named Pilsner Man of the Match
Ssebaggala, the dynamic midfielder, emerged as the Pilsner Man of the Match in a thrilling encounter. His outstanding performance not only earned him the prestigious accolade but also played a crucial role in this win. The defining moment came as we found ourselves trailing, and the pressure was on to mount a comeback. Ssebaggala rose to the occasion, playing a pivotal role in the build-up to Kayanja’s equalizer. With a keen sense of awareness and precision, he provided a crucial assist that set the stage for the dramatic turn of events.
It was not just his playmaking abilities that stood out, but also his physical prowess. Ssebaggala’s impressive leap during a crucial moment paved the way for the ball to bounce down favourably, creating the perfect setup for Kayanja to net his second goal.
As the referee blew the final whistle, we concluded the first round with an impressive record—20 goals scored, 7 clean sheets, 7 wins, and 3 draws, accumulating 24 points. This places us 7th on the StarTimes Uganda Premier League table, a commendable position as we head into a break before preparing for the upcoming Stanbic Uganda Cup round of 64.
With us in the middle of the table, the story is far from over. With a solid foundation laid in the opening fixtures, we have the opportunity to build on this success and address areas of improvement. The journey continues, as we prepare for both the second round and Stanbic Uganda Cup.