Abahani strengthen on transfer deadline day

The six-time top-flight league champion Abahani Limited focused on improving their defence from last season while preparing their squad for the next as the Sky Blues completed their players’ registration formalities on the transfer deadline day Wednesday.

Bangladesh Muktijoddha SKC, Chittagong Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS, Arambagh KS, Brothers Union and newly promoted Uttar Baridhara Club also completed their players’ registration formalities on the last day.

Abahani’s defence was not upto the mark, conceding 28 goals which paled in comparison to their best offensive record (60 goals) in the league last season.

They missed the services of center-back Tapu Barman and defensive midfielder Atiqur Rahman Fahad due to injury for most parts of the season and the duo joined Bashundhara Kings this season.

Reigning BPL champion Bashundhara, traditional crowdpuller Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd, former treble winner Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra and newly promoted Police FC have completing their players official registration process amid festive mood Tuesdayhttps://t.co/mUZijbnspo#BFF

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 19, 2019

The Dhanmondi-based club roped in two foreign centerbacks - Brazilian Mailson Alves and Egyptian Alaaeldin Eissa – and former national defender Nasir Uddin Chowdhury to strengthen the back-four. 

Eissa was earlier brought in for their AFC Cup knockout match in August while Nasir played for the Sky Blues before moving to Bashundhara last season. 

Mohammad Sohel Rana was recruited from Sheikh Russel KC to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Fahad.

Abahani’s scoring spree was impressive both in the league and AFC Cup last season, yet they bolstered their attacking force through their lone Asian quota signing of Kyrgyz forward Edgar Bernhardt, who played for Malaysian outing Kedah FA before.

#Bashundhara Kings bolster defence https://t.co/K53Z0zRWVO

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 19, 2019

Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba and Haitian forward Kervens Belfort remained in the squad.

Like the previous seasons, Abahani kept the rest of the squad almost unchanged. 

Current national players like goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel, defenders Rayhan Hasan and Tutul Hossain Badshah, midfielders Mamunul Islam Mamun and Jewel Rana, forwards Saad Uddin and Nabib Newaj Jibon would be the key strength in their bid for the premier league title.

“We scored lots of goals last season but also conceded many. We had some problems in defence and that’s what we tried to look at while forming the squad. That’s why we signed two foreign defenders. This squad is better than the last. Like every season, we formed the team to become champion,” said Abahani football manager Satyajit Das Rupu Wednesday.