Match-day 29 in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) begins today and runs up to tomorrow at various grounds.
Its completion will mean that only one match-day remains to complete the 2024/25 season. As it stands, Vipers SC, who lead the UPL table on 65 points, face a daunting task away at Butema stadium in Hoima, where they take on a plucky Kitara FC.
Between the two teams, there is no love lost if their recent meetings are anything to go by. On the other hand, second-placed NEC FC on 61 points travel to Wankulukuku to take on the defending champions SC Villa. With four points separating Vipers and NEC, the championship is still there for the taking.
NEC coach Hussein Mbalangu was emphatic in saying that they will not give up on the fight until the final whistle goes. However, what must happen for NEC to realize an unlikely dream of winning their first league title?
To begin with, NEC have got to make sure that they beat Villa. Last season, NEC suffered their first league loss against Villa in a 0-3 humbling at Wankulukuku. So, first, NEC has to exorcise the ghosts that haunted them that day. Considering that NEC beat Villa through a late goal in their first- round meeting in Lugogo, 2-1, they have a good reason to believe it can be done.
NEC should be buoyed by the fact that on Saturday, May 10, they registered a comprehensive 5-1 win over relegated Soltilo Bright Stars. That should give NEC a spring in their step.
On the other hand, Villa, who beat Police FC 3-1 in their last fixture on Sunday, May 11 are not playing for anything, but their pride. Therefore, one wonders how much motivation there could be for the Jogoos. Instead, NEC are expected to be the more fired-up for what is at stake for them.
But then, what NEC has got to be aware of, is taking on a team that has nothing to lose. They simply play without pressure, but enjoy the game. Notably, such circumstances tend to see a team with little to gain, as is the case for Villa now, thriving.
This is because pressure, if not well handled, can make a team fumble and make mistakes. That is what is working against NEC right now. Yet, if they are to recall how Villa approached them last year on May 18 during the final match-day, when the Jogoos won their seventeenth record extending championship, such is the attitude NEC must have to get all the three points off Villa.
Following the 1-1 scoreline with BUL FC last week, Mbalangu kept calm even in disappointment. But he commended the fighting spirit of his charges, that saw them score an equalizer that salvaged their pride.
It is such fight that shows the determination of a team, but also the true heart of a champion, Mbalangu noted. But what was more interesting was Mbalangu’s prediction that Vipers would lose to BUL, which actually happened on the weekend.
A last- minute strike by Reagan Kalyowa undid Vipers hard-work with a 1-0 scoreline. If NEC were to beat Villa, they must pray that Kitara subjects Vipers to a second successive loss, something that has not happened in a long time.
But then, even if that were to happen, Vipers would still have a one-point advantage going into the final match- day, where they face a lame-duck Bright Stars.
Whereas for NEC, it will be URA FC, and the question that will be abound is whether they have not left it too late, to try and wrestle the championship away from Vipers, whom they should never have lost to 1-3 last month. It seems the championship was won then.