With reigning champions Bashundhara Kings and runners-up Abahani struggling to lift their FIFA transfer bans, traditional powerhouse Mohammedan Sporting Club are set to unveil their squad on Wednesday after assembling a strong side for the upcoming Bangladesh Football League season.
Mohammedan, who ended a 22-year wait to win the top-flight title in 2024-25, endured a difficult previous campaign, finishing near the bottom of the 10-team table amid financial problems that even led players to boycott training.
The Motijheel-based club, however, turned things around after the new board of directors took charge. They have already signed several national team players from Kings, including defenders Saad Uddin and Rimon Hossain, midfielders Sohel Rana Jr and Mojibur Rahman Jonny, and wingers Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Shahriar Emon, taking advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Kings and Abahani.
With the two heavyweights unable to complete player formalities until their FIFA bans are lifted, Mohammedan are also trying to attract more players, as footballers risk being left without clubs if either Kings or Abahani fail to resolve their issues.
Mohammedan director-in-charge Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan said the club raised funds after the new board of directors took charge, initially collecting Tk 2 crore before increasing it to Tk 5.8 crore. The money was used to clear last season’s dues and provide token money for new contracts. He also revealed that Mohammedan lifted their own FIFA ban by paying USD 75,000 soon after the new management took charge.
The Black and Whites have retained 18 players, including national players Sujan Hossain, Zahid Hasan Shanto, Shakil Ahad Topu and Rahmat Mia, as well as experienced campaigners Arif Hossain, Sourav Dewan, Mohammad Jewel, Mohammad Rakib, Ananta, Hafizur Babu, Shafi and Raju. They have also recruited Mehedi Hasan Royal, Saiful Islam and goalkeeper Dipu from Rahmatganj MFS and Bangladesh Police FC.
They are also relying on four foreign players -- Soleymane Diabate, Emmanuel Sunday, Emmanuel Tony and Muzaffarov Muzaffar -- who had played key roles in ending Mohammedan’s league title drought. Sunday and Tony will join from Kings, while Diabate returns from Abahani.
“We will introduce our squad before the media on Wednesday to create a buzz among our valued supporters because we have formed a strong squad to fight for the title,” Bhuiyan told The Daily Star yesterday.
The Mohammedan director-in-charge further informed that they have confirmed 32 players, including four foreigners, but will not use the SAARC quota.
“We think Muzaffar, Diabate, Sunday and Tony have good understanding and combination on the pitch, which they have already shown for Mohammedan SC, so we are going to rope in all four,” he said.
“However, we are not going to fill the SAARC quota because I believe our local players are better than the SAARC players.”
Bhuiyan added that Mohammedan had initially planned to appoint former Australian coach Shane Lane, but he would not be available for six months.
“We are mulling to appoint an Uzbekistan coach and then a few local coaches who are yet to be finalised,” said Bhuiyan, adding that Mohammedan will begin their pre-season preparation at the Dhanmondi Club ground after Wednesday’s squad unveiling.
