UPL

NEC and KCCA won their Matchday 15 games to keep up the chase with StarTimes Uganda Premier League leaders, Vipers SC, as the competition took a first round break on Tuesday.

Kitara, who struggled to get their season going, also won their game, as well as URA. Away to Mbale Heroes, Enoch Ssebagala’s 35th minute goal was enough for NEC to finish the first round strong following their 1-0 victory.

NEC’s 10th win in 15 matches restored coach Hussein Mbalangu’s men to just one point behind leaders Vipers SC, who top on 34. Only NEC and Vipers have won 10 games each. In Mbarara, Emmanuel Anyama and Etienne Katenga scored KCCA’s second half goals in the 2-0 defeat of the hosts to end the first round in third place.

KCCA have won seven, drawn six and lost two of their 15 first round games to lie third on 27 points, six and seven behind Vipers and NEC respectively. Mbarara City are a mark above relegation on 14 points from 15 matches.

In Hoima, Kitara returned to winning ways after a goalless draw with Wakiso Giants with a crucial 1-0 victory over SC Villa. Marvin Nyanzi scored the all-important goal in the second minute of added time for the Royals to end the first round a place and point above Villa. Kitara are sixth on 21 points.

At Nakivubo, Joseph Ssemujju scored for URA nine minutes from full time as the Tax Collectors ran away 1-0 winners over Police. URA’s seventh win in 15 matches saw them end the first round in fifth on 24 points, while Police are five places below on 18.

Elsewhere, BUL’s Ibrahim Mugulusi’s 75th minute goal cancelled out Hudson Mbalire’s opener for Wakiso Giants as the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw in Najjembe.

BUL ended the first round in ninth on 20 points, while Wakiso Giants are third from bottom on 12 marks.

The league takes a break to allow preparations for Chan 2024 finals tournament, which will be held in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania from February 1 to 28, 2025.