StarTimes Uganda Premier League
Result: Kitara 0-1 NEC FC
Royals Park -Butema
Kitara FC’s push for the title suffered a setback on Saturday evening after a hard fought 1-0 loss to NEC FC at Royals Park, Butema.
In a match where the Royals aimed to close the gap on the league leaders, a second half header from NEC’s Richard Basangwa proved the difference. The visitors capitalized on a loose ball in the box following a 49th minute cross from Hakim Wandera, breaking the deadlock in a tightly contested affair.
The result brings an end to Kitara’s remarkable thirteen match unbeaten run at home this season, a record of resilience the Royals and their supporters have been proud of.
Despite the scoreline, the Royals created several opportunities to level. Jimmy Kalema was denied by a sharp save from NEC goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo on the hour mark, and a well worked chance for Patrick Kaddu shortly after went narrowly wide. Late pressure saw Shaban Muhammad and Chrispus Asiki come close, but Ssebwalunyo remained alert to preserve NEC’s clean sheet.
The team showed great spirit until the final whistle, controlling large spells of play and delivering dangerous balls into the area, but the finishing touch eluded them on the day.
With this result, Kitara remains third in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League, six points off the top with three fixtures remaining.
Attention now turns to next week’s trip to the Hamz Stadium, where the Royals will face Express FC.