Mbarara City Hold NEC to Goalless UPL Draw

Mbarara City earned their first point after holding NEC FC to a 0-0 Uganda Premier League draw at Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge.

Mbarara City frustrated NEC FC in a tense 0-0 draw at Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge on Friday, September 11, bringing the visitors’ perfect start to the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season to an end.

NEC arrived after winning their opening two fixtures, but the Kampala side could not turn their attacking threat into a legal goal. Innocent Media found the net during the contest, only for the assistant referee to flag him offside and cancel what would have been the decisive breakthrough.

Match Details

NEC Make Changes but Fail to Find a Goal

NEC head coach Badru Kaddu made two changes to the team that had started the 3-1 victory over Lugazi. Defender Mustafa Mujuzi and winger Emmanuel Kulanga came into the starting side as the visitors attempted to preserve their winning run.

Richard Basangwa, who scored against Lugazi, was absent from the matchday squad, although Media remained available after scoring twice in that victory.

The visitors believed Media had continued his productive start when he put the ball in the net. The offside decision, however, kept the score level and proved to be the match’s defining moment.

NEC also suffered a setback when Kulanga was forced off through injury. Muhammad Kagawa Ssenoga replaced the winger, requiring Kaddu to adjust his plan during a contest in which Mbarara City refused to give way.

Mbarara City Show Defensive Resolve

The Ankole Lions entered the fixture under pressure to respond to their defeat by Police. Facing a NEC side that had beaten KCCA 2-0 and Lugazi 3-1 made the assignment even more demanding.

Mugerwa’s players answered with organisation and concentration. They prevented NEC from scoring for the first time this season and avoided the kind of defensive lapse that could have undone their work.

Although the draw was not the victory Mbarara City wanted, the clean sheet offers a foundation on which they can build. Their Matchday Two meeting against Kitara had been postponed because of the Royals’ continental commitments.

NEC’s Winning Run Ends

NEC had been among four teams with maximum points after two matchdays. Their opening victory over KCCA was followed by an attacking display against Lugazi, where Basangwa struck once, and Media scored twice.

That form made NEC favourites to collect another victory, but football rarely follows a guaranteed script. Mbarara City limited the visitors, survived the disallowed goal and became the first team to take league points from Kaddu’s side this season.

The draw leaves NEC third with seven points from three matches. It remains a strong return, yet the stalemate shows that opponents can disrupt their rhythm through patient and compact defending.

Kaddu will nevertheless take positives from another clean sheet. NEC have conceded only once in their opening three fixtures, while their seven-point total keeps them firmly among the early leaders.

Players Who Shaped the Contest

Innocent Media remained NEC’s main goal threat. His disallowed effort demonstrated his movement and instinct around goal, even though the offside flag prevented him from adding to his two league strikes against Lugazi.

Mustafa Mujuzi brought experience to the visitors’ defence and helped NEC record their second clean sheet of the campaign. Kulanga was given an opportunity from the start, but his injury ended his contribution earlier than planned.

Mbarara City’s collective defensive performance deserves recognition. Their back line and midfield protected the clean sheet against a team that had scored five goals across its first two matches. The hosts’ discipline ultimately proved as influential as any individual attacking moment.

What the Result Means

NEC remain unbeaten and have established themselves near the top of the early table. Seven points from nine represents solid progress, although future opponents may study how Mbarara City denied them space and prevented their forwards from settling.

Mbarara City sit 14th with one point from two games. Their position remains modest, but the table is still taking shape, and they have played fewer fixtures than most clubs. Converting this defensive improvement into goals and victories is now the next challenge.

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Conclusion

Mbarara City’s goalless draw with NEC was built on resilience, structure and patience. The Ankole Lions collected their first point and first clean sheet of the league season, while NEC surrendered their perfect record but remained unbeaten.

Media’s ruled-out goal and Kulanga’s injury were the major incidents in a match decided by defensive discipline. NEC leave Kamwenge still among the leaders, but Mbarara City can regard the result as an encouraging step forward after a difficult opening defeat.