NEC Reclaims Top Spot as StarTimes Uganda Premier League Heats Up

NEC Football Club surged back to the summit of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Soltilo Bright Stars at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Paul Mucureezi was the hero of the day, coolly converting a penalty in the 74th minute to seal the crucial three points. The forward earned the spot-kick after being brought down in the box by Warren Buule and calmly dispatched it past Bright Stars goalkeeper Shamuran Kamya. The goal marked Mucureezi’s fifth of the season and cemented NEC’s position at the top with 26 points, two ahead of second-placed Vipers SC, who have a game in hand and are set to play BUL on Saturday.

Mucureezi’s decisive moment was complemented by a stellar performance from NEC goalkeeper Hanningston Ssebwalunyo, who denied Nelson Senkatuka’s penalty in the 42nd minute. The save kept the game level and played a pivotal role in NEC’s victory, earning Ssebwalunyo the Man of the Match accolade.

Under the guidance of Coach Hussein Mbalangu, NEC has now recorded an impressive eight wins in 12 matches – the most in the league this season – firmly establishing themselves as title contenders.

In contrast, Soltilo Bright Stars’ dismal season continued. Rooted at the bottom of the 16-team table with just six points from 12 matches, their struggles deepened after failing to capitalize on their penalty opportunity.

Elsewhere in the League
At the Bombo Military Grounds, Mbale Heroes snatched a late equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against UPDF. Samuel Ssekamatte put UPDF ahead in the first half with a penalty, but Hillary Adiima’s late strike in the 84th minute salvaged a vital point for the Heroes.

The result leaves UPDF in fifth place with 17 points, reflecting a mixed record of four wins, five draws, and three losses. Meanwhile, Mbale Heroes remain in precarious territory, sitting second from bottom with nine points, just three ahead of Bright Stars.

Looking Ahead
As NEC basks in their renewed league dominance, the attention shifts to Vipers SC’s clash with BUL on Saturday. The Venoms will be eager to reclaim the top spot as the title race intensifies.

With NEC proving their mettle and teams like Vipers and KCCA in the chase, the 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League is shaping up to be a fiercely contested campaign.