Kadiba Stadium, September 18, 2025 – FUFA Super 8 Final
Our hopes of securing a first FUFA Super 8 title were crushed in a 2-0 defeat to SC Villa at Kadiba Stadium, as the Jogoos avenged their penalty shootout loss to NEC in last year’s tournament. Goals from former NEC forward Ibrahim Kasinde and Mpade Reagan in each half respectively handed the 16-time Uganda Premier League champions the trophy.
NEC FC arrived at Kadiba Stadium riding a wave of momentum, having dominated SC Villa in recent encounters, including a 4-3 penalty shootout victory in the 2024 FUFA Super 8 and two StarTimes Uganda Premier League wins last season (2-1 at MTN Omondi Stadium and 1-0 at Wankulukuku). However, Villa, stung by those defeats, delivered a masterclass in efficiency to spoil our historic night.
In the 44th minute, disaster struck for NEC when Ibrahim Kasinde, our former player, scored having dribbled through our defence in a quick turn of events.
From a freekick SC Villa doubled their lead in the second half to seal a FUFA Super 8 trophy.
This was NEC’s second final in 16 months under Mbalangu, following a 1-0 loss to Kitara FC in the 2023/24 Stanbic Uganda Cup final. Reaching the FUFA Super 8 final in only our second tournament appearance (after finishing 6th last year) highlights our rapid rise.
Looking Ahead: CAF Confederation Cup Debut
NEC has little time to dwell on this defeat, as we face a historic challenge in our next match: the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round against Kenya’s Nairobi United FC. The game is set for Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, with kick-off at 7:00 PM EAT. Tickets are priced at UGX 10,000 (Standard) and UGX 30,000 (VIP)
Hamz Stadium, recently upgraded and CAF-approved, will host NEC’s continental debut, a landmark moment for the club. Facing a Nairobi United side also making their CAF bow, we will aim to leverage our bolstered squad and home advantage to secure a strong result before the second leg on September 27, 2025, in Nairobi. A victory in this tie would set up a clash with either Sudan’s Al Ahli Madani or Tunisia’s ES Sportive in the next round.
With a CAF Confederation Cup debut looming, Mbalangu’s men have a chance to channel this disappointment into a historic performance on the continental stage. The Bugolobi faithful will rally behind their team at Hamz Stadium, hoping to witness the start of an African adventure that could define our season.
Up next for NEC: Nairobi United (CAF Confederation Cup, September 20, 2025, Hamz Stadium, 7:00 PM.