Uganda Premier League (UPL) debutants NEC have booked a place in the 2023/24 Stanbic Uganda Cup final after navigating past one-time winners BUL in the semi final.

Joseph Dhata and Cromwell Rwothomio each scored once in the first half at Lugogo, and veteran goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan kept a clean-sheet to ensure that the Die Hards won 2-0 to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

The first leg at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru had ended 1-1, courtesy of goals from Jeromy Kirya for BUL, and Dhata for NEC.

At Lugogo, in the return leg, Dhata put the hosts ahead as early as the sixth minute, capitalizing on Emmanul Obua’s mistake to notch his sixth in the tournament, and his 12th in all competitions this season.

In the 20th minute, Cromwell Rwothomio scored to double NEC’s lead, and that’s all the Die Hards needed to make history as they went through to the final of the oldest football tournament in Uganda for their first time ever.

Meanwhile, BUL’s only hope for silverware this season now lies in the league, where they’re leading the 16-team table with 49 points after 26 games.

For NEC, they’re just waiting for Friday, May 5, 2024 to learn their exact opponent for the final, when UPL title contenders Kitara visit Regional League side Pajule Lions in Pader district – a return leg encounter in which the Royals come with a 3-1 advantage.

Lineups used Up;

NEC XI; Benjamin Ochan (GK) (C), Geriga Atendele, Gideon Odongo, Ibrahim Kiyemba, Tar Barni Kelvin, Joseph Dhata, Rashid Okocha, Shamir Kimwero, Ibrahim Thembo, Enoch Ssebaggala, Cromwell Rwothomio

Subs; Kiirya, Ssesazi, Acire, Mubutu, Wahab, Kavuma, Kaye, Kayanja, Kulanga

BUL XI; Thomas Ikara (GK), Hillary Onek, Emmanuel Obua, Otti, Walter Ochora, George Kasonko, Jeromy Kirya, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Emmanuel Kalyowa, Gerald Ogweti, Martin Aprem

Substitutes; Lawrence Tezikya, Joel Mutakubwa, Joel Madondo, Ibrahim Kazindula, Odongo, Benon Tahomera, Ibrahim Orit, Okurut, Kirya