NEC will have themselves to blame after surrendering their lead twice against Kitara FC on Saturday afternoon in Lugogo.
In a game of so many twists and turns, NEC led 2-0 at the break but Kitara fought back to draw the game 2-2. The hosts regained their lead with three minutes to go, but the Royals eventually got a late equaliser to salvage a point.
Kitara had the better start to the game with the first attempt of the game falling John Bosco Byaruhanga inside the opening minute but his ferocious strike went a few inches wide.
Three minutes later, Yunus Sibira struck from distance but goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan was equal to the effort, parrying the ball out for a corner.
Kitara were forced into making an early change in the 18th minute with Jimmy Kalema sustaining an injury when Ibrahim Musa hacked him down. He was replaced by George Ssenkaaba.
Despite the early dominance from Kitara, it was NEC who took the lead through Joseph Sseremba in the 27th minute.
A long ball from goalkeeper Ochan was fumbled by Kitara defender Benjamin Nyakoojo, clearing it into the path of Sseremba at the edge of the box and the latter struck it home instantly beyond goalkeeper Meddy Kibirige, who had moved off his line.
In the 36th minute, Kitara had two penalty appeals, first when defender Ibrahim Musa seemed to have held the ball in clearance, while the other was from Frank Tumwesigye alias Zaga who went down inside the box.
From a quick break, Kitara went the other end and doubled their lead through Joseph Dhata. A long clearance from Ibrahim Kiyemba met Seremba who laid a ground pass for Dhata to slot home.
A minute to the break, Byaruhanga had the ball into the back of the net when Zaga teed him up but the goal was cancelled for offside.
Seven minutes into the second half, Ssenkaaba pulled one back for the visitors, heading home from Zaga’s well-delivered free kick.
Coach Wasswa Bossa made more changes, bringing on Gaddafi Wahab, Emmanuel Wasswa and Crispas Asiki. The changes indeed made a positive reaction to help the team to stage a comeback.
In the 72nd minute, Kitara’s improved performance in the second half yielded fruit with substitute Wahab firing from the spot.
Goalkeeper Ochan fouled Byaruhanga in the box and referee Nabadda pointed to the spot. Wahab took the resultant penalty to level matters.
With three minutes to the end of normal time, substitute Emmanuel Kulanga, who had replaced Paul Mucureezi, found the winner for NEC.
The forward calmly controlled the ball at the edge of the box before slotting it into the bottom right corner.
Kitara, however, kept the belief and indeed fought on to earn a point with Wasswa heading home at the 90th-minute mark.
The result takes Kitara to sixth place on 23 points, while NEC go to eighth place on 16 points.
NEC FC Starting XI
Benjamin Ochan (GK), Ibrahim Kiyemba (C), Jackson Ssembatya, Ibrahim Musa, Patrick Bayiga, Daniel Shabene, Joseph Seremba, Shamir Kimwerwo, Innocent Media, Paul Mucureezi, Joseph Dhata
Kitara FC Starting XI
Meddy Kibirige (GK), Edward Namasa, Jasper Aheebwa (C), Benjamin Nyakoojo, Isa Lumu, Yunus Sibira, Hussein Ssenoga, Frank Tumwesigye, Patrick Kaddu, John Bosco Byaruhanga, Jimmy Kalema