NEC FC may have bowed out of the Uganda Cup following a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to defending champions Vipers SC but head coach Kaddu Badru remains adamant that his side is on the road of something special.
After a gruelling 120 minutes of football ended in a 0-0 stalemate, the Venoms eventually prevailed 4-3 on penalties, ending NEC’s hopes of lifting a trophy this season.
Despite the result, the post-match atmosphere in the NEC camp was one of quiet optimism rather than despair.
The primary takeaway for Badru was his team’s newfound defensive solidity. Facing the reigning champions for two hours without conceding is no small feat, and it extends a streak of clean sheets that has become the bedrock of their recent form.
“The game has ended without scoring a goal in 120 minutes, but it also means we have gone several games without conceding,” Badru noted during his post-match press conference.
However, the tactician was quick to point out the missing piece of the puzzle,lethality. While the defense has locked the door, the attack has yet to find the key.
”The difference is that if we are to become a good team, then we have to always score while we keep our goal area safe,” he added.
NEC wasn’t merely sitting back to survive. Throughout the match, the underdog side carved out several high-quality opportunities that could have settled the tie before the lottery of penalties.
Despite the exit, the message to the fans and the league is clear, NEC is evolving. Badru believes the psychological barrier is being broken down, and the players are beginning to embody the right frame of mind required for elite competition.
”I am confident that if we keep doing the right things, then we shall be a whole different group,” Badru concluded.
