NEC FC March On as Media Brace Powers Diehards Past Lugazi

NEC FC continued their flying start to the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season on Tuesday, producing another confident display to overcome Lugazi FC 3-1 at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, and maintain their perfect record after the opening two matches of the campaign.

The Diehards arrived for Matchday Two buoyed by an impressive 2-0 victory over KCCA FC in their league opener, a result that immediately raised expectations around the club. Richard Basangwa had opened his league account in that encounter before Pius Obuya added a second-half strike, giving NEC an ideal platform from which to build their campaign. Against Lugazi, they showed that the opening-day victory was no fluke, combining patience, attacking intent and composure to secure another maximum haul.

For long periods, however, Lugazi made life difficult for the hosts. The visitors remained organised and disciplined during the opening stages, denying NEC the space they needed to turn their possession into clear-cut chances. NEC gradually found their rhythm, but the first half ultimately ended without a goal as both sides battled for control in a tightly contested encounter.

NEC had the first notable opportunity in the 23rd minute when Enrique Lubwama found enough room to unleash a powerful effort towards the Lugazi goal. The strike carried considerable threat, but the visitors’ goalkeeper stood firm and produced an important save to keep the scores level and frustrate the Diehards.

The hosts continued to search for a way through as the half approached its conclusion, and another promising opportunity came three minutes before the interval. Wandera picked out James Jarieko with a well-weighted pass, allowing the NEC attacker to attempt a delicate chip over the advancing goalkeeper. The effort, however, lacked the precision required to beat the custodian, who comfortably gathered the ball.

Despite two minutes of added time, neither team could produce the moment of quality required to break the deadlock. NEC went into the dressing room level at 0-0, knowing that greater attacking sharpness would be required after the interval if they were to preserve their winning momentum.

Head coach Kaddu Badru wasted little time in attempting to change the complexion of the contest. At the start of the second half, he introduced Innocent Media for Allan Mugalu, a tactical adjustment that would prove to be one of the defining moments of the match.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 52nd minute, with NEC turning their second-half pressure into the opening goal. James Jarieko found himself in a dangerous position and cut the ball back intelligently into the path of Richard Basangwa. The forward made no mistake, producing a superb finish that flew into the top-left corner and gave the Diehards a deserved 1-0 advantage.

The goal immediately changed the momentum of the contest, and NEC quickly sensed an opportunity to put further distance between themselves and their opponents. Just five minutes after Basangwa’s opener, Media announced his arrival in emphatic fashion, doubling the hosts’ advantage and placing NEC firmly in command.

The second goal came after a dangerous delivery from Hannington caused panic inside the Lugazi penalty area. Although the visitors’ goalkeeper managed to punch the ball away from danger, he could not prevent it from falling into the path of Media. Showing excellent anticipation and alertness, the substitute reacted first to the loose ball and fired the rebound into the net to make it 2-0.

Media’s introduction had given NEC’s attack a fresh dimension, while the two-goal cushion allowed the Diehards to play with greater confidence. Lugazi now faced the difficult task of finding a route back into the contest, while NEC looked increasingly comfortable in possession and dangerous whenever they moved forward.

With his team firmly in control, Badru continued to make calculated changes as he sought to maintain the intensity of his side. In the 68th minute, Emmanuel Kulanga replaced Enrique Lubwama, adding fresh energy to an NEC side that was beginning to dictate the tempo of the match.

Further substitutions followed in the 79th minute, as Dinanga Makenga and Okao Jacob entered the contest in place of Basangwa and Ibrahim Kiyemba. The changes reflected NEC’s growing control of the game, with Badru managing his players carefully while keeping his side organised and focused during the final stages.

NEC then delivered the decisive blow in the 81st minute, effectively putting the contest beyond Lugazi’s reach. Kulanga produced a perfectly weighted assist that released Media into a dangerous position, and the forward once again showed remarkable composure in front of goal. He kept his cool to fire the ball into the back of the net, completing his brace and sending NEC into a commanding 3-0 lead.

The two-goal contribution from Media was particularly significant given that he had begun the match on the bench. His introduction transformed the attacking fortunes of the Diehards, and his ability to capitalise on opportunities demonstrated the strength of NEC’s options beyond the starting eleven.

Lugazi, however, refused to leave without a response. Just three minutes after Media’s second goal, Richard Ayiko pulled one back for the visitors, reducing the deficit to 3-1 and injecting a brief sense of uncertainty into the closing stages.

The consolation goal forced NEC to remain alert, but the Diehards showed the maturity required to protect their advantage. Rather than allowing Lugazi to build momentum, the hosts remained disciplined, managed possession intelligently and defended their lead until the final whistle.

In added time, Badru Kaddu made his final change of the evening, bringing on Enock Tumwesigye for James Jarieko. The substitution helped NEC close out the encounter as the remaining minutes ticked away, with Lugazi unable to create another clear opportunity to threaten the hosts’ advantage.

When the final whistle sounded, the celebrations around the MTN Omondi Stadium reflected the significance of another three points. NEC had once again demonstrated their ability to navigate a difficult contest, combining patience in the first half with greater attacking efficiency after the break to secure a deserved 3-1 victory.

For Media, the evening was particularly memorable. The forward’s two-goal contribution after coming off the bench earned him individual recognition, as he was named both the Linqsoft Aluminum Man of the Match and the Uganda Premier League Man of the Match.

The victory leaves NEC FC with six points from their opening two matches, maintaining their perfect start to the new league campaign. Having defeated KCCA FC in their opening fixture before seeing off Lugazi, the Diehards have already demonstrated the consistency and attacking quality needed to make an early impression on the 2026/27 season.

NEC have also made a strong statement in front of goal, scoring five times across their first two league matches while conceding only once. While the campaign is still in its early stages, consecutive victories provide the club with valuable momentum and confidence as they prepare for a demanding season ahead.

For Badru and his players, the immediate challenge will be to ensure that this promising beginning develops into sustained form. The Diehards will know that maintaining their standards, improving their efficiency and remaining defensively disciplined will be crucial as the competition intensifies and the league table begins to take shape.

NEC FC will now shift their attention to their next Uganda Premier League assignment, with the Diehards set to travel to face Mbarara City FC on 11 September 2026 at Rwamwanja Stadium.

After collecting maximum points from their opening two matches, NEC will head into the encounter with confidence, but Mbarara City will provide another test of their credentials as the Diehards look to extend their perfect start and remain among the early contenders in the race for honours.