NEC FC head coach Badru Kaddu has challenged his team to raise their level and improve their finishing after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Uganda Premier League leaders BUL FC.

Ronald Madoi and Swabur Mpasa scored for BUL while Marvin Oshaba found the net for NEC in a result that left Kaddu disappointed with his side’s performance against one of the league’s leading teams.

Kaddu admitted that NEC fell short of the standards they had set for themselves, stressing the need to compete more effectively against the league’s strongest sides as they pursue their targets for the season.

“The picture we’ve painted today has not been the best. Our target is to compete with the best teams in the league, more so this year, where we want to come out strong,” Kaddu said.

He acknowledged that failing to match the league’s top sides could undermine NEC’s ambitions but insisted that the team must learn from the setback and work towards improvement.

“If a team cannot compete with such big teams, then it downgrades us. However, we shall pick up lessons. We need to convert our chances,” he added.

The NEC coach further emphasised that the responsibility lies with the team to make the necessary adjustments and deliver performances that match their season objectives.

“It is upon us to do everything possible to ensure that we improve our level so that we attain this year’s set target,” he said.

Despite the defeat, NEC remain third on the Uganda Premier League table with 14 points, while BUL strengthened their position at the summit, moving to 19 points after seven matches.

For Kaddu and his players, the focus will now be on addressing their shortcomings, particularly in front of goal, as they take on Ntugasaze at Phillip Omondi Stadium, Lugogo on Tuesday, October 27.