NEC FC Chase Third Straight Victory as Mbarara City Seek First Points

Mbarara City v NEC FC

KAMWENGE, Uganda — NEC FC will be seeking to maintain its perfect start to the 2026/27 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season when the Diehards take on Mbarara City FC on Friday, September 11, at Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge.

The encounter presents NEC FC with an opportunity to record a third consecutive league victory and strengthen its early position in the race for the top places, having made an impressive start to the new campaign.

The Diehards opened their season with a convincing 2-0 victory over KCCA FC in the Lugogo derby before following it up with a 3-1 win against Lugazi FC.

Those results have given NEC FC maximum points from its opening two matches and provided head coach Kaddu Badru Mukasa with an encouraging foundation as the club pursues its ambitions for the 2026/27 season.

The team will now be hoping to carry the same attacking confidence and defensive discipline into Friday's encounter against the Ankole Lions.

Mbarara City Seek First Points 

Mbarara City FC will enter the contest under different circumstances, with the Ankole Lions still searching for their first points of the campaign.

Mbarara City played only one match in the opening two rounds, losing narrowly 1-0 to Police FC on Matchday 1.

Their scheduled Matchday 2 meeting with Kitara FC was postponed because of Kitara's involvement in continental football, meaning Mbarara City head into Friday's fixture with a game in hand.

The Ankole Lions will therefore be determined to put their opening-day disappointment behind them and launch their campaign with a positive result.

Playing at Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge, Mbarara City will also hope to make home advantage count against a NEC FC side that has so far demonstrated considerable confidence.

Mukasa Demands Competitive Display

NEC FC head coach Kaddu Badru Mukasa says his team is prepared for the challenge and will approach the match with the same competitive mentality it has shown in its opening fixtures.

“We have a motive of going against any challenger and we shall put up a good show against Mbarara City,” Mukasa said ahead of the match.

The coach's message underlines NEC FC's intention to remain focused despite its perfect start.

With six points already secured, the Diehards will be aware that consistency will be crucial if they are to turn their strong opening into a sustained challenge throughout the season.

NEC FC Face Injury and International Absences

The Diehards will, however, have to cope with several absences.

Forward Fahad Bayo remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a muscle strain. The striker has resumed light training but is yet to return to full competitive action.

Defender Ibrahim Musa is also sidelined after suffering a knee injury involving a partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). He remains in rehabilitation as he works towards his eventual return.

Richard Basangwa is another absentee after picking up an injury.

NEC FC will also be without defender Hakim Wandera and goalkeeper Gilbert Mazige, who are away on national duty with the Uganda U20 national team preparing for the AFCON U20 CECAFA qualifiers.

Despite the absences, there is positive news for the Diehards, with Muhammed Kagawa Ssenoga returning to the squad and becoming available for selection.

The club says the rest of the squad is in good shape as the team prepares for the trip to Kamwenge.

Perfect Head-to-Head Record

Historical meetings between the two sides provide NEC FC with another psychological advantage.

Friday's fixture will be the seventh meeting between NEC FC and Mbarara City FC in the Uganda Premier League, with NEC FC having won all six previous encounters.

The Diehards will therefore be aiming to preserve that remarkable record and extend their dominance over the Ankole Lions.

For Mbarara City, breaking that sequence would provide an important boost to their campaign, particularly after beginning the season with defeat.

A Test of NEC FC's Early Credentials

The match will provide another important test of NEC FC's early-season credentials.

After defeating two established opponents in KCCA FC and Lugazi FC, the Diehards will be expected to demonstrate that their strong start is not a temporary surge but evidence of a team capable of competing consistently over the course of the campaign.

Mbarara City, meanwhile, have an opportunity to change the narrative around their season with a positive result against one of the league's early in-form sides.

The contrasting starts of the two clubs should make Friday's contest an intriguing battle, with NEC FC chasing another three points and Mbarara City fighting to get their campaign off the ground.

Kick-off at Rwamwanja Stadium promises to be a significant moment for both teams as NEC FC attempt to make it three wins from three, while the Ankole Lions seek their first points of the 2026/27 campaign.

Matchday Details

Mbarara City FC vs NEC FC

Competition: StarTimes Uganda Premier League 2026/27

Matchday: 3

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026

Venue: Rwamwanja Stadium, Kamwenge.