KAMPALA — KCCA FC are the 2026 FUFA Super 8 champions after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over NEC FC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, on Tuesday night.
Saidi Mayanja’s first-half penalty proved enough to settle a tense final, while goalkeeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa produced a crucial late save as KCCA resisted NEC’s late pressure to lift the trophy.
The decisive moment came in the 36th minute when Yunus Sibira was pulled back inside the NEC penalty area, leaving the referee with little hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Mayanja stepped up two minutes later and calmly converted the penalty, sending goalkeeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo the wrong way to give KCCA a 1-0 lead at the break.
It was a reward for a KCCA side that had started the final aggressively.
Kwikiriza had KCCA’s first meaningful opportunity in the 16th minute after beating his marker with a sharp piece of footwork, but his curling effort drifted narrowly wide.
NEC responded with physical challenges as both sides battled for control of midfield. Sibira was booked in the 20th minute for a late challenge on Ssebwalunyo, while NEC’s Joseph Sseremba received a yellow card eight minutes later for a foul on Lazaro Muhindo.
KCCA returned from the interval determined to extend their advantage.
In the 54th minute, Emmanuel Anyama created space for Sibira, but the midfielder sent his effort over the crossbar.
KCCA coach Brian Ssenyondo then refreshed his attack, introducing Kennedy Muserero and Fahad Ismail for Anyama and Kwikiriza in the 60th minute.
The final grew increasingly combative, with KCCA’s Fillbert Obenchan and Maxwell Owachgiu and NEC’s James Jarieko joining the list of players cautioned.
Ssenyondo made another change in the 71st minute, replacing the booked Sibira with Ashraf Mugume.
NEC, however, refused to surrender.
The Army side pushed KCCA deeper as the final entered its closing stages, and in the 84th minute Lubwama came within inches of levelling the contest.
His powerful strike appeared destined for the top corner, but Mugolofa launched himself across goal to make a superb full-stretch save.
It was arguably the defining moment of the final.
KCCA nearly doubled their advantage three minutes later when Muserero raced forward on a counter-attack and fired at goal, but Ssebwalunyo reacted quickly to keep NEC’s hopes alive.
NEC continued to press during stoppage time, but KCCA’s defence held firm.
The final whistle confirmed KCCA’s second FUFA Super 8 title, following their victory in the inaugural competition in 2018.
Mayanja was named Player of the Tournament, while Mugolofa collected the Best Goalkeeper award.
NEC’s Richard Bassangwa finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with three goals, while NEC FC received the Fair Play Award.