NEC FC have officially strengthened their squad after completing the capture of Express FC pair Richard Basangwa and promising youngster Hakim Wandera ahead of the second round of the season.
The duo links up with their former Express head coach Badru Kaddu, who recently took charge at NEC FC, marking another reunion between the tactician and players he previously trusted at Express.
Basangwa arrives at Lugogo as one of the standout performers from the Red Eagles, having impressed consistently since joining Express at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
The versatile player had signed a two-year deal with Express following his return from Egyptian outfit Wadi Degla, where he featured after leaving Ugandan football in 2022.
His career path includes spells at Vipers SC and St. Mary’s Kitende, as well as a loan stint at Gaddafi FC.
On the international stage, Basangwa was part of the Uganda U-20 side (the Hippos) that clinched silver at the 2021 AFCON U20 tournament in Mauritania.
Young left back Hakim Wandera also makes the switch from Express to NEC FC, with the club viewing him as a direct replacement for Mustafa Kizza, who sealed a move to Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi United earlier in the transfer window.
Wandera’s arrival underlines NEC’s intention to invest in youthful talent while maintaining balance in their squad.
Concrete sources indicate that both Basangwa and Wandera have committed their futures to NEC FC by signing two-year employment contracts.
Attention now shifts back to league action following the recess, with NEC FC set to host Lugazi FC on Wednesday.
Express FC, meanwhile, will turn their focus to a high-stakes showdown against arch-rivals SC Villa, scheduled for Thursday at Nakivubo Stadium.
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