NEC FC assistant coach James Odoch says the club can still finish in the top three or four this season despite a challenging campaign.
NEC, who finished second last season and lost the title to Vipers by just two points, have endured mixed fortunes this term.
They currently sit seventh on the table with 37 points, 15 behind leaders Vipers after 22 matches.
Part of their struggles can be attributed to a poor start to the season, which led to the departure of coach Hussein Mbalangu in November last year.
Odoch said: “We are taking it game by game. We know where we are is not where we are supposed to be. Last season we finished second, and we feel we can still work hard and finish in the top three or top four.”
NEC FC return to action on Saturday when they host Maroons at Lugogo, looking for their 10th win of the season.
The club appears to have turned a corner, going unbeaten in their last five matches and coming into this fixture on the back of consecutive 1-0 victories over URA FC and Police FC.
The first-round meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw, with Marvin Kavuma equalising for NEC shortly after Ivan Ashaba had given Maroons the lead.
“Maroons are a stubborn team and we expect a tough game, but I believe we shall put up a good performance because the boys have been responding well and playing well in the past games. They will not find it difficult to play against Maroons, and I believe we shall come away with maximum points,” Odoch added.
The hosts will miss Jacob Okao and Emmanuel Ajo, but Innocent Media is back and available for selection.
NEC FC have struggled for goals this season, scoring just 24 times in 22 matches — almost half of what Vipers (43) have managed so far.
“We are not scoring many goals, but it is not only us. This is a general issue across the league. The good thing is that we are not conceding many either,” he said.
Maroons, on the other hand, sit ninth on the table with 29 points after 22 matches and are also unbeaten in their last five games since a 2-0 defeat to SC Villa.
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