Goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo on target as NEC edge URA at Lugogo

Uganda Premier League 2025/26 (Match Day 22): NEC Football Club needed goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo’s last minute gasp penalty to overcome Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on match day 22 of the 2025/26 Star Time Uganda Premier League at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo on Thursday night, under floodlights. Ssebwalunyo was calm and composed, beating URA goalie […] The post Goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo on target as NEC edge URA at Lugogo appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Apr 9, 2026 - 20:12

Goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo on target as NEC edge URA at Lugogo

Uganda Premier League 2025/26 (Match Day 22):

NEC 1-0 URA

NEC Football Club needed goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo’s last minute gasp penalty to overcome Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on match day 22 of the 2025/26 Star Time Uganda Premier League at the MTN Omondi stadium, Lugogo on Thursday night, under floodlights.

Ssebwalunyo was calm and composed, beating URA goalie Muhamad Ssekebba from12 yards after subsistute James Jarieko had been felled into the goal area in the 89th minute.

NEC commenced the game aggressively desperate for a promising start, winning three kicks inside the opening five minutes.

Left back Hakim Wandera faltered the first two and Tonny Atukunda was close on the other.

On the 12th minute, Atukunda chipped a free-kick but defender Patrick Bayiga committed a foul as he aimed to head the ball.

NEC right back Ibrahim Musa became the first player to be cautioned by referee Oteke on the 21st minute.

It was NEC again on the offensive as forward Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte, a January signing hit a low drive free-kick, missing target from 30 yards.

Moments later Ssekamatte had a shot on target well picked up by URA goalkeeper Muhamad Ssekebba.

Towards the half hour mark, Wandera’s free-kick was accidentally blocked by teammate Ssekamatte as the ball hit on the forward’s back.

In the 33rd minute, URA defender Joseph Bright Vuni was well positioned to slide and block a shot Ssekamatte

URA completed the first half with a man less after an injury to defender Otti but the defender soldiered to return for action in the final 45 minutes.

Three minutes into the second half, goalkeeper Ssekebba came off the line to close down on forward Ssekamatte.

URA midfielder Norman Namanya was cautioned for blocking goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo’s quick delivery after collecting up a Moses Waiswa corner kick.

NEC goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo jumped high to tame a cross by Galiwango before another corner kick from Galiwango failed to find Otti as URA attacked.

Goalkeeper Ssekebba became the second URA player to be booked on the evening for time wasting after 58 minutes.

The hosts made the first change of the match. A rather silent Emmanuel Kulanga was rested for Abdul Rahim Rashid after 62 minutes.

Three minutes later, Ssekamatte curled a free-kick high and over the URA goal frame.

URA introduced the fresh legs of Bruno Bunyaga and Isma Mugulusi for Fred Amaku and Moses Waiswa respectively in the 67th minute.

URA captain Aliro shot out a free-kick from about 40 yards before NEC missed a chance when Wandera’s inviting free-kick failed to find any contact inside the URA goal area.

NEC midfielder Joseph Sseremba was booked for a foul on John Innocent Kisolo

Subsistute Mugulusi recorded a shot off target as he approached the URA goal area.

The hosts called for a double substitution; Ssekamatte was rested for James Jarieko and Kagawa came out for Allan Mugalu.

URA’s best chance of the game came eight minutes from full time when Joseph Ssemujju headed out an Okabo cross from the right.

On the break, NEC also missed from close range. Jarieko almost beat the advancing goalkeeper Ssekkeba.

URA’s final change was in the 8th minute as Ssemujju came out for midfielder Godfrey Ssekibengo.

NEC got a penalty for a foul by Jarieko in the goal area with a minute to play in normal time.

Goalkeeper Ssebwalunyo scored from the penalty mark to give the visitor maximum points at the brink of the game.

The left footed goalkeeper was also named the StarTimes man of the match.

This was NEC’s 9th victory in 22 outings, driving them to 5th on the 16-team log with 37 points.

Consequently, URA suffered the 8th defeat of the season, as the tax collectors remained on 22 points.

Team Line Ups:

NEC XI: Hannington Ssebwalunyo (G.K, Captain), Warren Buule, Joseph Sseremba, Ibrahim Musa, Patrick Bayiga, Emmanuel Kulanga, Samuel Kayongo Ssekamatte, Richard Basangwa, Hakim Wandera, Muhammed Ssenoga Kagawa, Tonny Atukunda

Subs: Samson Kirya (G.K), Daniel Shabene, Siraje Ssentamu, Pius Obuya, Muzamiru Mutyaba, Makenga, Shamwir Kimwero, Marvin Kavuma, Allan Mugalu, James Jarieko

Head coach: Badru Kaddu Mukasa

URA XI:Muhamad Ssekebba (G.K), James Penz Begisa, Dissan Galiwango, Bright Joseph Vuni, Ronald Otti, Norman Namanya, Joseph Ssemujju, Moses Waiswa Ndhondhi, Fred Amaku, John Innocent Kisolo, Moses Okabo Aliro (Captain)

Subs: Derrick Ochan (G.K), Ibrahim Wamanah, Justine Opiro, Godfrey Ssekibengo, Bruno Junior Bunyaga, Rahamat Ssenfuka, Derrick Kakooza, Hudu Mulikyi, George Masembe, Joshua Letti Lubwama, Isma Mugulusi

Head coach: Hussein Mbalangu