Marvin Oshaba marked his NEC FC debut with a goal as the Diehards beat Kigezi Homeboyz 2-0 at Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge on Wednesday, earning praise from head coach Badru Kaddu.
The forward, who joined NEC from Maroons FC in September on a three-year deal, scored in the 67th minute to seal the Uganda Premier League victory and keep his new side firmly in the title race.
Allan Mugalu had put NEC ahead in the 35th minute with a powerful header from a corner before Oshaba doubled the lead after the break.
Kaddu was pleased with his players’ determination to collect maximum points away from home, insisting that such performances would be vital in their pursuit of trophies.
“Everyone who wants victory does everything possible to win an away match. We did everything possible and scored in either half. If we continue this way, we can compete and win trophies,” Kaddu said.
Despite facing a side at the bottom of the table, the NEC coach warned against underestimating their opponents.
“One would think a team at the bottom is weak, but in this league, there is no weak team. Kigezi gave us a big challenge, but we managed to get the three points,” he said.
Kaddu was also pleased that his players followed the game plan, although he believes they must improve their finishing.
“My boys stuck to the plan, though we still have a problem executing our chances. But we can build on the three points from Rwamwanja,” he added.
Oshaba’s debut goal was a welcome start for the 27-year-old, who arrived from Maroons after finishing as their leading scorer in the 2026 FUFA Super 8 tournament.
Kaddu expects the forward to offer more than goals, pointing to his ability on the ball and his contribution to the team’s attack.
“Expect a lot from Oshaba. He can score and also play well with the ball. He has shown us a bit of what he can do and the responsibility he carries,” Kaddu said.
“We thought he could score at least three goals, but we can go with that.”
Oshaba had already scored a league goal for Maroons before his transfer, taking his tally for the 2026/27 season to two goals across the two clubs.
Kaddu believes NEC have the quality to challenge the teams above them and urged his players to maintain their ambition.
“We prepared the players to compete this season. Though we still have some teams above us, we can go past them. We are not giving up,” he said with a smile.
The victory lifted NEC to second place with 14 points, level with leaders SC Villa but behind on goal difference. They remain unbeaten after six matches.
Kigezi Homeboyz, meanwhile, stayed bottom with one point and are still searching for their first win of the season.
NEC goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo was named Man of the Match after keeping a clean sheet, while forward Fahad Bayo made his first start for the club.
NEC visit BUL FC at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on October 21, while Kigezi Homeboyz host Entebbe UPPC at Rwamwanja on October 22.