Hussein Mbalangu (Photo/courtesy)
David GOMBE
Hussein Mbalangu makes an emotional return to MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Tuesday as his limping UPDF FC side faces his former club NEC FC in the Uganda Premier League.
NEC FC will be aiming to go top of the table when they host UPDF FC on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. The Diehards needed Fahad Bayo’s lone goal to overcome Blacks Power FC in Bukedea in their previous game, while UPDF lost 1-0 to Kitara FC.
NEC are currently third on 20 points having managed six wins, two draws and one defeat, and will be hoping leaders SC Villa and BUL FC draw in their meeting at Njeru to take over table leadership.
UPDF FC, on the other hand, will be looking to climb up the standings and distance themselves from the relegation zone. They are currently 13th on the table with eight points.
Under the stewardship of former NEC head coach Mbalangu, UPDF will hope they maximize points at Lugogo to return to winning ways. Their previous win was the 2-1 victory over Express FC on 15th October at Nakivubo. They have scored nine goals and conceded seven in their eight league outings.
During his reign at NEC, Mbalangu led the side to the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup final and also guided them to a second-placed finish in the 2024/25 league campaign.
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NEC FC defender Warren Buule remains sidelined through injury, while Mustafa Mujuzi continues his recovery and is also out of action. Midfielder Pius Obuya will also miss the encounter due to injury.
Badru Kaddu’s side will also miss the services of left-back Hakim Wandera who is suspended following his red card against Blacks Power FC in Bukedea.
Tuesday’s encounter will be the seventh meeting between NEC FC and UPDF FC in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
NEC FC are unbeaten in the previous six meetings against UPDF, managing three wins and drawing as many. In the reverse fixture last season, NEC edged UPDF 1-0 at Lugogo.