The floodlights at Lugogo told a brutal story on Friday night as KCCA were made to pay for another flat performance, going down 3-1 to NEC in a derby that quickly slipped out of their control.
A brace from Richard Basangwa, with Joseph Sseremba striking in between, wiped out the brief optimism sparked by Ivan Ahimbisibwe’s equaliser and left the Kasasiro Boys chasing shadows.
In the aftermath, co-head coach Brian Ssenyondo cut a frustrated figure and made it clear the slide has gone on long enough.
“It is a disappointing result, substandard and not good enough. The players lacked zeal, hunger and attitude,” Ssenyondo told the post-match press briefing.
The loss compounded what has become an uncomfortable pattern. KCCA are now licking wounds from consecutive defeats, having also stumbled against Entebbe UPPC at the close of the first round.
Bad day in office but we will bounce back 💛💛#KCCAFC #NECKCCA #StarTimesUPL pic.twitter.com/tPQDYI8wQK
— KCCA FC (@KCCAFC) February 13, 2026
The stutter has widened the gap to table-toppers Vipers to seven points, a margin that threatens to drag KCCA out of the early title conversation if the trend continues. Still, Ssenyondo insists the race is far from over.
“We have to win,” he answered when asked what they need to do to close the gap. “You don’t lose a trophy in sixteen games but we have to win. They (players) have to show character, a good attitude, zeal and show they want it (points) more than opponents. It is a very disappointing result for fans and we promise to make it right,” he added.
The former Kitara tactician refused to single out individuals, instead placing responsibility squarely on the entire dressing room. The message was simple: the badge demands more than what has been served lately.
“We have to show that on the pitch, we have to want it more than the opponents. They need and must show that every training, in matches and we can’t have another defeat. We must win every game,” he continued.
“We need to represent this club and present ourselves on each match day with hunger to win.”
Questions over constant tinkering with the starting XI were brushed aside. Ssenyondo stood by his selections and challenged those chosen to justify the trust:
“It is not about rotation or anything, we pick the line up based on players we think deserve to play and whoever we chose must represent the club and himself well and play to win. The squad we have is good enough but maybe, we can add one or two who we believe can improve us.”
FT#KCCAFC #NECKCCA #StarTimesUPL pic.twitter.com/5ndnNKixZV
— KCCA FC (@KCCAFC) February 13, 2026
For now, KCCA sit fifth on 30 points, a position that could slip further depending on results elsewhere, including SC Villa’s trip to URA. There is little time to sulk, though. A lively BUL side arrives at Lugogo on Tuesday, and with just one win from the last five league matches, the pressure is no longer simmering, it is boiling.
For Ssenyondo and his players, the next ninety minutes are no longer just another fixture. They are a test of character, urgency and whether this campaign can still be steered back on track.
