Uganda Premier League
- NEC 2-2 Police
NEC FC were left frustrated after surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 2–2 with Police FC in a competitive Uganda Premier League duel under the lights at the Phillip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Saturday.
The “Die Hards” looked on course for their first win of the season after goals from Mustafa Kizza and Joseph Dhata put them 2–0 up with five minutes to play.
But a late surge from the Cops saw substitute Charles Bbale and veteran striker Umar Kasumba strike in the dying moments to snatch a point.
NEC started brightly, pressing high and dominating possession. Their intensity paid off almost immediately when Saidi Kyeyune fouled Dhata in the box.
Kizza stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga the wrong way to open the scoring in the third minute.
Police, who began slowly, grew into the game and nearly leveled midway through the first half when Lawrence Tezikya came inches from connecting with Brian James Obedi’s dangerous cross.
After the break, NEC remained in control and doubled their lead in the 60th minute.
Dhata, lively throughout, timed his run perfectly to nod in Charles Waibi’s cross, sending the home crowd into celebration.
But NEC’s composure faded late on. In the 85th minute, Bbale pulled one back with a low free kick that slipped through the wall and into the corner.
Then deep into stoppage time, Police earned a penalty after Emmanuel Mugume was brought down. Kasumba made no mistake from the spot, slotting past Benjamin Ochan to complete the comeback.
The final whistle brought contrasting emotions, relief for Police, who rescued a point, and heartbreak for NEC, who let victory slip away.
The draw leaves Police in fourth place with four points, while NEC remain winless after two straight stalemates.
