LUGOGO
NEC may have been Thursday’s winners but controlled celebrations were definitely at St Mary’s Kitende, home of Vipers SC, and in Jinja at BUL.
The Lugogo-based side, NEC, edged StarTimes Uganda Premier League table leaders, Kitara, 1-0, just after strugglers Busoga United had denied SC Villa maximum points in Njeru.
Cromwell Rwothomio scored the game’s only goal at the MTN Omondi Stadium in the 64th minute to ensure and NEC held out to claim all points.
League debutants NEC’s 12th win in 23 matches moved them a place up to fourth on 40 points, four behind leaders Kitara, who came into this on the back of a goalless draw with BUL.
Earlier in the day, title contenders, SC Villa, had also hoped to continue their recent form when they faced relegation threatened Busoga.
And they were indeed en route to closing in on the top when Charles Lwanga gave them a 20th minute lead at the Fufa Technical Centre, Njeru.
But Busoga refused to go away and with eight minutes left to play, the hosts leveled through Moses Logono to rescue a point and stay their survival hopes alive.
Villa remain second on 40 points while Busoga move out of the bottom three to 13th on 18 points.
By Kitara and Villa dropping points, third and fifth placed BUL and Vipers will be sighing with relief.
BUL have played a game fewer than Kitara and are four points behind the leaders.
Vipers also have three games in hand on the leaders and have 38 points.
Meanwhile, while Villa have dropped two points, the one gained still hands them the initiative.
The Jogoos have two games in hand and only four points behind Kitara.
