Proline progress after goalless draw in Malawi

There is a rising tide of optimism at Proline Football Club. They have flipped another page in their fairytale narrative at the preliminary stage of CAF Confederation Cup.

After a goalless draw against Malawi's Masters Security Services, they remain with only two qualifying rounds to reach the group stages. Proline won 3-0 on aggregate courtesy of Ivan Bogere's hattrick in the first leg.

This is how far the pursuit of history and sh1bn for reaching the group stages has brought them.

Next, they must navigate past Rwanda's AS Kigali, a side that defeated Tanzania's KMC 2-1 on aggregate.

By getting to the group stages, they would become only the second Ugandan club after KCCA to achieve that feat. But as the excitement continues to gain momentum, can Proline last the distance?

"I have been around, seen a lot of football and I believe the team can compete at this level," said Proline head coach Matia Lule.

From scrapping in the FUFA Big League to qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup, such a story would stretch headline writers' creativity.

For the fact that they are featuring at the preliminary round is already an achievement for a club looking to rebuild.

They were relegated from the top tier last year and by winning the Uganda Cup they qualified for the preliminary round of the Confederation Cup.

"My familiarity with the club is an added advantage for me. I'm here to drive their ambitions" Lule added.