Hat-trick hero Bogere hails coach Bisaso

Proline FC player Ivan Bogere celebrates after bagging his hat-trick against Masters Security over the weekend. Photo by EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

GOOD START. Ivan Bogere gave Proline FC a massive start to their maiden CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a hattrick
against Malawi side Masters Security FC.

The impact of coaches in the lower leagues of Ugandan football is often underlooked .
But if there is any coach who has earned respect after working his way to the top of the Ugandan football pyramid then is Shafik Bisaso.
The multiple Masaza Cup winner over the weekend earned arguably his most fulfilling recognition after continental debutants Proline FC claimed a dominant 3-0 first leg win over Malawi’s Masters Security at StarTimes stadium, Lugogo.
In one of the most impactful performances of a Ugandan player on the continental scene, Proline FC put one foot into the next Caf Confederation Cup round following a hat-trick from striker Ivan Bogere.
“I’ve disturbed the coach a lot like,” he said. “There are many things I did not know at this level, I’ve been playing Masaza football. I was used to appearing on game day, score a goal, skip several training sessions thereafter and return for another match. But I’m improving and learning. I can score goals because I’m with the right coaches and team. The coach trusts me right from the Big League. So all the credit goes to my coach,” Bogere added of Bisaso’s impact.
Plucked from regional football league side Kakiri Town Council and Buwekula in the Masaza Cup, Bogere rose to fame after leading the scoring charts with 14 goals in 20 games as Proline FC stormed to the topflight league last season.
He was in productive mood too on Saturday running onto a trademark Noordin Bunjo through ball foto give Proline a 1-0 halftime lead.
He then expertly connected with a low cross from Hakim Kiwanuka after a fine run on the left flank before poking the ball through the goalkeepers’s legs for his hat-trick after being put through by Ibrahim Wammanah late on.
“We do not give enough credit to these tournaments. Forgive me for being emotional but what Bogere has said is a true picture of what often happens. We’re often turned away when we ask parents to allow their children play football,” Bisaso said citing Cranes midfielder Yasser Mugerwa. The two teams meet in Malawi, a fortnight after the first leg with the winner playing either AS Kigali or Tanzania’s Kinondoni Municipal Council.