• Uganda Premier League| MD 9 | Saturday October 31st 
• Blacks Power FC 0-1 NEC FC

Fahad Aziz Bayo delivered the decisive moment as NEC FC overcame a stubborn Blacks Power 1-0 in Bukedea on Saturday to keep their Uganda Premier League title ambitions firmly on course.

Bayo rose highest to head home Hakim Wandera’s corner in the 44th minute, handing the Diehards a hard-earned victory at the BCS Sports Complex and moving them to second place on the table with 20 points.

It was a goal that separated two closely matched sides, with NEC having to dig deep, particularly in the closing stages after finishing the game with 10 men.

Blacks Power started with plenty of intent, pushing forward in search of an early breakthrough. They won the first corner of the afternoon in the 10th minute, but NEC’s defence stood firm to clear the danger.

Two minutes later, Michael Siwu tested goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo with a free-kick, but the NEC shot-stopper was alert to keep the effort out.

The hosts continued to look for openings and earned another corner in the 30th minute. Fazil Rajab delivered, but Ssebwalunyo rose above the crowd to claim the ball and keep the score goalless.

NEC had their first corner in the 36th minute, with Wandera taking responsibility two minutes later. However, a foul inside the penalty area gave Blacks Power a free-kick and temporarily ended the visitors’ threat.

But NEC made their next opportunity count. In the 44th minute, Wandera delivered another dangerous corner, and Bayo timed his run perfectly before powering a header into the net. It was his second goal of the campaign and gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.

Blacks Power came out for the second half looking to get back into the contest, but NEC remained disciplined and made changes to manage their advantage.

The hosts made their first substitution in the 57th minute, bringing on Joshua Omara for Andrea Noll Ogwal, who had been booked six minutes earlier.

NEC responded with a double change in the 61st minute, introducing Shamir Kimwero and Emmanuel Ajo for Daniel Shabene and goalscorer Bayo respectively.

Wandera, who had supplied the assist for the winning goal, was booked in the 66th minute.

Both teams made further changes in the 69th minute. NEC introduced Marvin Oshaba for James Jerieko and Enrique Lubwama for Allan Mugalu, while Blacks Power brought on Elias Emokori for Oscar Otim and Moses Ocoman for Emmanuel Jenan Okech.

Bayo, despite having already left the pitch, received a yellow card in the 79th minute after exchanging words with the assistant referee.

Blacks Power captain Joseph Kizza was booked in the 82nd minute before Nathan Oloro replaced him a minute later.

The game took another twist in the 87th minute when Wandera was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Yakim Rashid, leaving NEC with 10 men.

With their numerical advantage, Blacks Power had an opportunity to push for an equaliser, but NEC made a late adjustment, bringing on Enock Tumwesigye for Richard Basangwa in the 88th minute.

Two minutes of added time offered the hosts a final opportunity, but NEC held their ground to take all three points.

Bayo’s match-winning contribution earned him the Man of the Match award, capping an afternoon in which his header proved the difference.

The result takes NEC to second place with 20 points, while Blacks Power slip to seventh on 13 points.

NEC will now turn their attention to a home meeting with UPDF FC on November 3, while Blacks Power will seek a response when they visit Express FC on November 5.

Elsewhere, Kitara FC also collected maximum points after edging UPDF FC 1-0 at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo. Benjamin Nyakoojo scored the only goal in the 13th minute, connecting with a pass from Jeromy Kirya.

KCCA FC enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Mbarara City FC in Bukedea, with Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Charles Lwanga and Sammy Ssebaduka finding the net for the visitors. Ronald Odwok scored Mbarara City’s consolation.

At the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, BUL FC and Entebbe UPPC FC settled for a 1-1 draw. Alex Kitata scored for BUL before in-form UPPC forward Reich Triomphe Kokolo restored parity.

The day’s programme was scheduled to conclude with URA FC hosting Vipers SC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, in an 8 pm kick-off.