After continental exit, what next for Proline?

UGANDAN FOOTBALL

Proline FC's ambitions to make club history by advancing to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage hit a dead-end when they failed the Al-Nasr test in the playoff round of the competition. They lost 4-2 on aggregate to the Libyan side, courtesy of a denting 2-0 return leg defeat in Kampala on Sunday.

So what's next for the Ugandan outfit after missing out on the lucrative group stage.

Of course the club has to realign its attentions back to the domestic scene.

For now, coach Matia Lule is energized by the idea that his side's participation in the Confederation Cup, albeit cut short, has added much-needed continental experience to the lads - and to himself as a coach.

"For the majority of the boys, it was the first time to play against such a club [Al-Nasr] and in continental football. They tried their level best. We missed a lot of chances, I must confess," said the tactician.

"Our opponents proved to be the hungrier side. It is unfortunate that we lost at home."

'It is not the end'

Noordin Bunjo, the team captain, said they were unlucky to lose but that they are bound for success in the years ahead.

"This is not the end. We should fight hard to win our next games. The match [against Al-Nasr] may have seemed easy from the fans' point of view, but not to us, the players.  Luck was not on our side," said the skipper.

Meanwhile, back in the league, Proline have a lot of work to do. They are bottom of the Uganda Premier League table, stranded with no point after playing eight games in the League.

Their failure to show up for a match against SC Villa at Namboole came at a huge cost. The six points they picked up against Express and Onduparaka were docked for their no-show. That means Lule and co have to go back to the drawing board. Back to scratch.

One of their instrumental players, Ivan Bogere, left the club for Dubai recently without the club's notice. However, Lule maintains optimism.

"From the club's point of view, it [Bogere's departure] has not affected us because we managed to win our first game [1-0 against Kyetume FC] without him. Of course we have missed his services, but that is minor," said the tactician.

A tough November awaits Proline. They will be up against BUL FC, Tooro United, Bright Stars and KCCA FC.


ALSO RELATED TO THIS STORY

Beaten Proline exit CAF Confederation Cup