John Paul Dembe scores his first two Allsvenskan goals in BK Hacken victory

Rising Ugandan talent John Paul Dembe was one of the stars from Sunday’s action in the Swedish top flight as the forward scored both goals against Elfsborg in a 2-0 Allsvenskan victory for BK Hacken.

A year-and-a-half after arriving in Sweden, the former KCCA talent emerged with a breakout performance to highlight his increasing role for Hacken. The rangy forward stretched to nod the ball in for the opening goal in the 33rd minute when Elfsborg goalkeeper Simon Eriksson tipped away an initial attempt.

Dembe’s late strike was the real highlight of the victory for visitors Hacken. Hard pressing work up top saw the 20-year-old win the ball before cleverly maneuvering around a defender and finishing high past Eriksson to confirm all three points.

The rising forward, who emerged as a talent to watch after scoring six goals with Uganda at the 2024 CECAFA U-20 Championship, now has his first goals in league play since joining Hacken in January 2024. Dembe previously scored his first goal in Swedish football earlier this season in the Svenska Cup.

Hacken move up to 9th place on the Allsvenskan table and will begin their continental campaign on Thursday in Slovakia when they travel to face Trnava in the first leg of a UEFA Europa League qualifying stage clash.

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