For the second successive season, NEC lost a Fufa Super 8 final with a 1-0 loss to KCCA at Hamz stadium, Nakivubo.
Said Mayanja first half penalty was decisive condemning NEC to a third loss in the final of a cup competition for a third time after they also lost to Kitara in the Uganda Cup in 2024.
Here is how Badru Kaddu’s charges rated on the evening.
Hannington Ssebwalunyo 6.0: Maybe, he could have done better with a cross that resulted into the penalty but overall, he was decent and tried to initiate attack from his area.
Ibrahim Musa 6.0: A solid defender but the free kick that resulted into the penalty that won the game came from his side.
Hakim Wandera 6.0: He tried to link play with James Jarieko down the left from his defensive position. Disappointing with his crosses and set pieces often.
Warren Bbuule 7.0: Very solid performance from the defender and never deserved to be on the losing side.
Gideon Odong 6.0: His partnership with Bbuule kept the KCCA centre forwards at bay for most parts of the game and only undone by a bad decision in the area.
Daniel Shabene 6.0: Very unfortunate to concede a penalty following his dominant display in the middle of the pack. Controlled the game thoroughly.
Joseph Sseremba 5.0: Not a good day for the box-to-box midfielder and withdrawn for Allan Mugalu midway the second half.
Pius Obuya 5.0: Again, started in the no. 10 role behind Basangwa but struggled to make anything happen for his side going forward and was replaced at halftime.
Muhammad Ssenoga 5.0: Trusted again by Badru Kaddu to start wide but another half decent performance saw him withdrawn at the start of the second half.
Richard Basangwa 7.5: The big forward excelled, first as a centre forward and then playing on the right side of attack as well. He bullied the KCCA defence but missed a good opportunity to level the scores in the second half.
James Jarieko 7.0: The winger was a thorn in the fresh of the KCCA fullbacks all through. Deserved to be on the winning side.
Substitutes
Fahad Bayo 3.0: Came on at halftime but injury cut his debut short. Replaced after less than half an hour.
Henrique Lubwama 7.0: A big improvement on Obuya and was a threat all through. Tested Mugolofa from long range but his decision making at times let him and the team down.
Allan Mugalu 7.0: Brought on in midfield to improve creativity and was a huge improvement on Sseremba. Nearly won a penalty with his clever play though he could have done better in still holding on to the ball. Made some brilliant blocks defensively as well.
Innocent Media 6.0: Missed a good opportunity when he came on but he was a nuisance to the KCCA backline.
Mustafa Mujjuzi 5.0: Replaced the injured Musa late on.
Emmanuel Ajo 5.0: Set up Media late on and from that, maybe he could have won a penalty but referee waved play on.
