NEC Football Club head coach Hussein Mbalangu has underlined the magnitude of the next seven days, insisting his side must approach them with full commitment as they chase silverware and continental progress.
The Kampala-based side will first lock horns with Uganda’s most decorated club, SC Villa, in the FUFA Super 8 final on Wednesday at FUFA Stadium, Njeru. Barely three days later, they will shift focus to the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash against Kenya’s Nairobi United.
“The two games are very important to us as a club. First, there is a trophy to win on Wednesday so we must do all it takes to win it and then on Saturday, we need to win and gain advantage in the Confederation Cup,” Mbalangu told Kawowo Sports.
For the tactician, the meeting with Villa carries significance beyond the silverware. He believes it doubles as the ideal dress rehearsal for the continental tie.
“The Super 8 matches have helped us to know where we stand, test out new players and formations as well. The Villa match will be the last practice before Saturday so we must use it to not only try to win a trophy but also test the readiness of the team.”
Mbalangu has also made no secret of his Confederation Cup ambitions. He wants NEC, who are making their maiden appearance in CAF competitions, to fight their way to the lucrative group stage.
“Everyone from management, technical staff to the players is focused on achieving the goal and we believe in ourselves to do well,” he noted.
Last season, NEC could only settle for sixth place in the Super 8. This time around, the least they can finish is runners-up, and Mbalangu is convinced the team has matured.
While the club itself is new to the continental stage, the squad is not short on experience. Veterans such as goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan, playmaker Muzamir Mutyaba, midfielder Paul Mucureezi and defender Mustafa Kizza all featured under Mike Mutebi at KCCA FC, during memorable runs in both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
