Factfile – Abahani Limited Dhaka
Team Name: Abahani Limited Dhaka
Nationality: Bangladesh
Founded In: 1972
Home Ground (AFC Cup): Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh
League: Bangladesh Premier League (Top Division League)
Nickname: The Sky Blue Brigade / Sky Blues
Head Coach: Mario Lemos
Major Achievements: Bangladesh Premier League Winners (2007, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012, 2016, 2017-18), Bangladesh Federation Cup Winners (1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018)
2019 AFC Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Shahidul Alam Sohel (Captain), Mohammed Nayeem Mia, Sultan Ahmed Shakil
Defenders: Rayhan Hasan, Waly Faisal, Tutul Hosain Badsha, Mamun Miah, Masih Saighani [Afghanistan], Tapu Barman, Hafizur Rahman
Midfielders: Mamunul Islam, Sohal Rana, Pranotosh Kumar Das, Jewel Rana, Atiqur Rahman Fahad, Imtiaz Sultan Jitu, Syed Arafat Hossain Tasin, Wellington Priori [Brazil]
Forwards:Nabib Newaj Ziban, Sunday Chizoba [Nigeria], Rubel Miya, Saad Uddin, Kervens Belfort [Haiti], Faisal Ahmed Shitol
Brief History: Founded in 1972, Abahani Limited Dhaka are one of the most successful Bangladeshi clubs with a record six top-flight Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) titles and eleven Bangladesh Federation Cup triumphs. They also have eleven Dhaka League trophies to their name. Led by Portuguese coach Mario Lemos, Abahani are in second place halfway through the ongoing campaign. Their last BPL title came in 2017-18 and the season before that they won the title following an unbeaten campaign. Their arch-rivals are Dhaka Mohammedan and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi.
The 2019 edition is Abahani’s third consecutive appearance in the AFC Cup group stage, qualifying as 2018 Bangladesh Federation Cup winners. Abahani haven’t progressed beyond the AFC Cup group stages, finishing third in their group in last year’s edition. In this edition, all four of Abahani’s foreign recruits – Nigerian forward Sunday Chizoba, Haitian striker Kervens Belfort, Afghan defender Masih Saighani and Brazilian midfielder Wellington Priori, their latest signing – have all played at Indian clubs in the recent past.
They have also featured in the now defunct AFC President’s Cup on five instances. It was an annual international association football competition organized by AFC, targeted for the development of emerging football nations. Prior to that they appeared twice in the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup (1991-92, 1997-98) and once in the Asian Club Championship (now AFC Champions League) (1985-86) qualifying stage.
Interestingly, Chennaiyin FC Assistant Coach Syed Sabir Pasha has played for Abahani in the past. The former India international featured for the Bangladesh giants in the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
In this season’s AFC Cup, Abahani are level on four points with Chennaiyin FC but a place below in second spot due to goal difference; their first two group games yielding a 1-0 win over Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club in their away opener and a 2-2 draw against Minerva Punjab at home.
