UPL preview: Kitara vs NEC FC

Kitara and NEC will each be hoping to maintain their perfect start to the 2024/2025 Uganda Premier League season when they face off on Thursday at Royal Park in Butema, Hoima Oil City.

Both sides were victorious in their respective opening matches where NEC in a commanding display defeated Vipers 3-1 at the Philip Omondi Stadium Lugogo while Kitara also edged newcomers Lugazi 3-0 at Lugazi stadium in Najjembe, Buikwe district.

Kitara and NEC are among those teams considered favourites to win this season’s championship given how massively each recruited in the transfer window and also kept a majority of the best performing players from last season.

This match is so special for Kitara FC because they are going to be playing at their newly constructed playground in Butema, Hoima City where they have the majority of their fans.

The whole of last season, these fans were forced to travel to the neighbouring Masindi district to watch their football team at the Municipal stadium where it hosted its home matches due to the lack of a FUFA certified stadium in Hoima.

The club too missed out on gate collections because some fans who were not financially strong could not travel to Masindi.

With the Royal Park in Butema cleared to host this season’s matches, Kitara fans in Hoima are full of excitement to see their team return home and everyone is looking forward to watching this encounter.

Both coaches Brian Ssenyondo of Kitara and Hussein Mbalangu have openly declared their title ambitions this season and in order to realize that target, getting three points from such a match is a must.

They also have unfinished business from last season where each wants to have revenge on the other for the injustices inflicted. During the first meeting in Masindi, Kitara beat NEC 1-0 and the second meeting when Kitara visited Lugogo in the final match of the season when they were in the title race, NEC beat them 1-0 and that result knocked them out of the race.

Kitara also had its revenge on NEC when the two met again in the Uganda Cup final where they defeated them 1-0 to win their first silverware and a ticket to represent Uganda in the CAF Confederations Cup.

Paul Mucureezi was one of Kitara's most important players last season but he has since moved to the enemy NEC and is expected to start or if not will come from the bench to face his former side.

Kitara is going to rely so much on their stars Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi, Fred Amaku, Titus Ssematimba, and newly signed Moses Sseruyidde. On NEC’s side, Mucureezi, Cromwell Rwothomio, Enock Ssebaggala, Rashid Okocha, Muzamir Mutyaba.

Uganda Premier League

Thursday

Kitara v NEC

Vipers v Express

UPDF v Lugazi

Friday

BUL v KCCA

Bright Stars v URA

Mbarara City v Police

Maroons v Wakiso Giants

Sunday

Mbale Heroes v SC Villa