{"id":323,"date":"2025-09-23T17:57:52","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/?p=323"},"modified":"2025-09-23T17:57:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:57:53","slug":"nec-fc-depart-for-nairobi-for-the-caf-confederation-decider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/23\/nec-fc-depart-for-nairobi-for-the-caf-confederation-decider\/","title":{"rendered":"NEC FC depart for Nairobi for the CAF Confederation decider"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>NEC Football Club have departed for Nairobi with their eyes firmly set on redemption in the CAF Confederation Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bugolobi-based side carries the weight of a frustrating 2-2 draw from the first leg against Nairobi United, but head coach Hussein Mbalangu insists his men have the firepower to turn the tide at Nyayo Stadium this Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the home tie, Cromwell Rwothomio and Paul Mucureezi sent fans into a frenzy with crucial goals, only for a late strike from Kibwana to deny NEC a much-needed advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul Muchurezi (right) and Innocent Media \u2013 Credit NEC FC media team<br>NEC will have to make the trip with key forward Cromwell Rwothomio doubtful because he picked up an injury, while midfield anchors Emmanuel Kulanga and James Jarieko also remain doubtful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1019\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-23-at-20.34.59_65d7b460-1019x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-23-at-20.34.59_65d7b460-1019x1024.jpg 1019w, https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-23-at-20.34.59_65d7b460-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-23-at-20.34.59_65d7b460-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-23-at-20.34.59_65d7b460-768x772.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gugudde.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-23-at-20.34.59_65d7b460.jpg 1075w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1019px) 100vw, 1019px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Travelling Squad<br>Despite the setbacks, NEC boasts a strong 23-man squad led by captain Ochan Benjamin and seasoned campaigners like Siraje Sentamu, Titus Ssematimba, and Paul Mucureezi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Squad List:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ochan Benjamin<br>Ssebwalunyo Hannington<br>Kiirya Samson<br>Atendele Jeriga<br>Kiiza Mustapha<br>Okao Jacob<br>Buule Waren<br>Siraje Sentamu<br>Waibi Charles<br>Titus Ssematimba<br>Cromwell Rwothomio<br>Kulanga Emma<br>Jarieko James<br>Odongo Gideon<br>Dhata Joseph<br>Kiyemba Ibrahim<br>Shamiru Kimwero<br>Media Innocent<br>Seremba Joseph<br>Mutyaba Muzamir<br>Kavuma Marvin<br>Mucureezi Paul<br>Ajo Emmanuel<br>Officials:<br>Head coach: Hussein Mbalangu<br>Assistants: Dudu Bosco, James Odoch<br>Support staff: Byuma Muwada, Farouk Osama, Isaac Ssenoga, Latifu Kasirye, Akena, Emojong, Bayizi Moses, Ezera Muhumuza, Raymond Kayungiriizi, Faizal, Andy Obonyo<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The clash at Nyayo National Stadium promises to be a fiery contest, with the aggregate winner sealing passage to the CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The clash at Nyayo National Stadium promises to be a fiery contest, with the aggregate winner sealing passage to the CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"right-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"disabled","ast-banner-title-visibility":"disabled","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"disabled","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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