With six games left to end the premier league season, NEC are now five points adrift of leaders Vipers after a 3-1 defeat at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende on Thursday.
Allan Okello orchestrated the downfall of the visitors with a classic performance setting up Hilary Mukundane with a well calculated free kick before he also got his own goal and later getting involved in a build to Isaac Ogwang’s goal that literally ended the contest in the first half.
Paul Mucureezi scored a penalty late in the game after James Jarieko was tripped in the area but it was too little too late despite a better NEC show in the second half.
Vipers now have a commanding league and many believe it is race over, but is it?
Twists and turns
When Vipers lost to SC Villa at Mutesa II stadium, Wankulukuku, the gap was trimmed to just two points after NEC had beaten Express 3-1 at Lugogo a couple of days ago.
But the gap was re-established when Vipers edged Lugazi 1-0 at Kitende and then NEC fired blanks in the goalless draw at UPDF in Bombo.
It looked over until Express threw the spanner in the works by holding the Venoms at Nakivubo and a win by NEC against Kitara cut the gap to two points again.
Can we see more of such twists and turns in the race with six matches left? The neutrals hope so for an exciting finale to the season that has only two sides in the title race.
Remaining fixtures
Interestingly, the two sides have three common fixtures in Mbale Heroes, BUL and Soltilo Bright Stars.
For John Ayala and Fred Muhumuza side, trips to Luzira (Maroons), BUL and Kitara appear potential banana skins although it could be game over by the time they play Kitara if the gap is maintained or even widened.
On the part of NEC whose away form has been far from satisfying, games away to Villa and URA present the hardest tasks as well as the home clash with BUL who wants to finish closer to the challengers.
Race over?
For now, it is all Vipers to lose as all they need is to match NEC’s results on each match day to maintain their lead.
NEC has to win all their remaining matches and hope that Vipers falter in at least two matches.
Vipers remaining fixtures
- April 24: Maroons (a)
- April 29: UPDF (h)
- May 09: Mbale Heroes (h)
- May 14: BUL (a)
- May 17: Kitara (a)
- May 24: Soltilo Bright Stars (h)
NEC remaining fixtures
- April 25: Mbale Heroes (h)
- April 30: Mbarara City (a)
- May 09: BUL (h)
- May 14: Soltilo Bright Stars (a)
- May 17: SC Villa (a)
- May 24: URA (h)
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