KCCA FC co-coaches Brian Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera are under immense pressure given the dismal performance the team is having this season so far. After ending the first round on a losing note to Entebbe UPPC, the second round equally started in a disappointment, losing to neighbours NEC FC on Friday at MTN-Omondi Stadium.
The Kasasiro Boys were subdued by NEC, succumbing to a 3-1 loss, a result that left Ssenyondo and Magera living on the edge with several fans calling for their sacking.
NEC new recruit from Express Richard Basangwa ochestrated the damage on KCCA, bagging a brace while Joseph Sseremba added the other goal. Ivan Ahimbisibwe got the consolation for the visitors.
NEC also handed the other new additions Pius Obuya, Abdullai Rashid Kawawa and Muhammad Kagawa Ssenoga their first League starts.
The game lived to the billing, playing at a high intensity and the two teams put up a good show for the crowd that turned up to bear witness of the Lugogo derby.
The first attempt of the game fell to KCCA in the fourth minute with Joel Sserunjogi making inroads into the box but goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo was quick off his line to thwart the danger.
On the other end, NEC’s first effort at goal arrived at the quarter hour mark from Muhammad Kagawa’s corner kick delivery but KCCA goalkeeper Charles Lukwago did well to parry the ball away.
Basangwa fired the hosts into the lead in the 22nd minute when he picked the ball at the edge of the box, dashed into the area before firing a powerful low drive past Lukwago.
Thereafter, KCCA tried to improve and were the better side until the end of the first half in terms of possession but lacked the much needed cutting edge in the final third.
In the 37th minute, Umar Lutalo attempted from distance but his goal-bound effort was saved by defender Gideon Odongo.
KCCA had another chance a minute later from Samy Sssbaduka’s delivery but NEC were able to clear their lines.
Lutalo again attempted from distance but his curling effort from the right flank sailed just above the goal.
Five minutes from the break, NEC got close to doubling their lead when Basangwa set up Ssenoga but his ferocious strike went a few inches wide of the goal frame.
At the start of the second half, KCCA coach Brian Ssenyondo made a change, bringing on teeneger Yan Gatbel for Hassan Muhamud. This meant Lutalo drifted to left back with Herbert Achayi partnering Enock Walusimbi at the heart of defence.
Four minutes into the second half, Ahimbisibwe headed home from close distance, thanks to Lutalo’s fine delivery.
The striker was in the right place to head Lutalo’s cross, with the ball ricocheting off the upright before finding its way into the back of the net.
NEC made a double substitution in the 59th minute with Joseph Steven Dhata and Allan Mugalu replacing Kawawa and Obuya respectively.
Mugalu was booked four minutes after coming on for simulation when he went down into the box.
NEC regained their lead in the 70th minute through Sseremba who struck home on the half volley when Ssenoga set him up.
A long ball from Dhata met Ssenoga at the far post and the latter headed it into the path of Sseremba and volleyed it into the roof of the net to the delight of the home fans.
NEC streched their lead further three minutes later almost in similar fashion, this time Basangwa getting his second of the day and the third for the Die Hards.
Another long ball from the right was headed back into the goal mouth by defender Ibrahim Musa, finding Basangwa in the right place to fire home.
There were more changes for KCCA with Saidi Mayanja and Ashiraf Mugume replacing Shafik Nana Kwikiriza and Sserunjogi while NEC on the other hand, brought on Shamir Kimwero in place of Daniel Shabene.
Minutes later, KCCA introduced Etienne Katenga for his first game of the season, replacing Gatbel.
The result means stay fifth on the table with 30 points, seven behind leaders Vipers while NEC move up to 7th place on 23 points.
The two teams will return to action next week with NEC makng a short trip to Kitende to face Vipers on Tuesday while wounded KCCA will be at home to BUL.