On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, during match day three of the 2024–2025 Uganda Premier League, NEC defeated a tenacious UPDF 1-0 at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
With four minutes remaining under floodlights, Rashid Okocha broke the toughness of a hard-fighting UPDF team.
With their third win under Hussein Mbalangu’s leadership, NEC secured their top spot on the table standings with nine points.
After three minutes, an inviting free-kick from Ibrahim Thembo was headed away by a UPDF defender as NEC, who had won their first two games of the season, got off to a strong start.
On minute eight, Tebandeke’s long throw-in troubled the visitors, but goalie Hannington Ssebwalunyo easily collected it.
A free-kick from Muzamiru Mutyaba was collected by UPDF goalkeeper Yusuf Wasswa two minutes later, as he was quicker off the line.
Defensor Aggrey Kirya turned away Isma Kawawulo’s tease from the left at the quarter-hour mark.
Christopher Kawagu, the UPDF midfielder, bounced back quickly from a knock to continue playing.
In the twenty-fourth minute, a shot from Joseph Kayondo within the goal area was blocked for the visitors.
Near the halfway point, NEC made a danger, but UPDF defenders successfully blocked Okocha’s curling corner kick./
By the half hour, goalie Wasswa had responded faster to block James Jarieko’s attack, and a few moments later, the two players collided.
In the last ten minutes, NEC continued to be the more aggressive team and put numbers forward.
The strategy paid off nicely in the 86th minute when Okocha scored on the left flank from a tight angle, setting off raucous celebrations.
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