Uganda Cranes striker John Dembe delivered a clinical performance on Thursday night, scoring twice as BK Hacken crushed CFR Cluj 7-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League Playoff Round tie in Gothenburg.
The Swedish champions were already in full control thanks to a stunning display from Amor Layouni, who set up five goals. But it was Dembe who provided the final flourish, striking twice in the second half to all but seal Hacken’s passage to the group stage.
Dembe’s first came just past the hour mark when Adrian Svanback won possession high up the pitch and slipped him through, with the Ugandan calmly finishing into the bottom corner.
Ten minutes later, he struck again, this time timing his run perfectly to meet another Svanback assist and slot home Hacken’s seventh of the night.
The brace underlined Dembe’s growing influence at the club since his move to Sweden and highlighted his sharpness in front of goal on the European stage.
His finishing capped a dominant team display that leaves Hacken firmly in control heading into next week’s return leg in Romania.
For the Cranes forward, the goals add to his rising profile as he looks to cement a regular spot both at Hacken and in Uganda’s international setup.
Hacken now carry a five-goal cushion to Cluj, where only a remarkable turnaround will deny them a place in the Conference League group phase.
