Abahani settle squad

Abahani's new signings Rajani Kanta Barman (L), Mohammad Robin (C) and Enamul Haque gleefully pose for photograps after striking their deals with their new club at the BFF House yesterday. The Dhanmondi-based powerhouse has drafted them in to fill in the gap left by outgoing stars Emily, Wali Faisal and Motiur Munna.Photo: STAR

Holders Abahani all but completed their players' registration formalities for the 3rd B. League when they signed up 17 booters yesterday.
It was a happy harvesting for the two-times B. League champions but they had to be content with the best available replacements after their start striker Zahid Hasan Emily, playmaker Mamunul Islam and defender Wali Faisal wished not be part of the team when it launches its campaign for a hattrick of titles in October.
The trio is all set to join Abahani's rivals Mohammedan SC this season and to make up for those loses as well as to strengthen the squad, the Sky Blues have recruited eight new players including veteran defender Rajani Kanta Barman and striker Mohammad Robin from Mohammedan.
Besides, the Dhanmondi-based outfit also ensured the services of Brothers Union's experienced playmaker Motiur Munna, left-back Atiqur Rahman Mishu and goalkeeper Ziaur Rahman, Chittagong Abahani's right-back Mintu and promising playmaker Mohammad Shahed from Youngmen's Club.
But the most productive signing for Abahani this year could be the striking pair of Farashganj's 12-goal hero Enamul Haq and Moha-mmedan's Hedayetul Islam Robin, who struck seven goals in the 2nd B. League before being sidelined due to injury halfway through the League.
Abahani also retained the services of their number one goalkeeper Biplob Bhatta-charya and reserve custodian Shohel, defenders Ibnul Siraji, Obaidur Rahman, Nazrul Islam, Mohammad Sujan, midfielders Pranotosh Kumar, Jahed Parvez Chowdhury and Abul Hossain.
Abahani, the first team to heat up the bourse after no shows in the first four days of the month-long transfer, reached the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) headquarters in Motijheel with a strong contingent of supporters accompanying them.
The Sky Blue fans were understandably disappointed with the news that Wali, declared the best player of the season, Mamunul and Emily, who struck 13 goals to win the league for Abahani last season, were not with the players to be signed for Abahani.
Abahani coach Amalesh Sen accepted the loss of their three key players of last season but said that they have drafted in good replacements.
"We have taken some experienced as well as promising players who we think will be able to make up for the loss of our three key players who were an integral part of a fine combination of the team for the last three to four years," said coach Sen when confronted with the question of how big a blow the loss of Emily, Mamunul and Wali could be.
Abahani's long serving coach felt that the defence and striking line-up were comparatively better than the midfield, where they might consider two more players Arif Khan Joy and Mehdi Hasan Ujjjal, who are yet to be signed up.
Abahani, who are yet to sign up their allotted five foreign booters, might look for the same set.
"We are considering retaining the services of three foreign players Ghanaian striker Awudu Ibrahim, defender Samad Yousuf and Nigerian attacking midfielder Christian Emeka," said Abahani manager Sattyajit Das Rupu adding that another foreign player might join the team before the start of the season.
Rupu also informed that the camp would get underway from August 10 either in Cox's Bazar or Rangamati. Abahani already brought Argentine trainer Diego Alvaro, who will work with coach Sen.
Of 17-signed players, eight players, including Rajani and Munna, will be wearing the sky blues jersey for the first time and they were very much excited to be a part of their favourite club.
"I have been playing since 1994 and it was a bit of bad luck not to get a change of playing for my favourite club Abahani and I will try to put my best and help them to clinch the third professional league title," said Rajani, the highest paid player of Abahani.
"I am thinking of a new start at Abahani and I am confident to prove myself," said Munna, who started his career for Agrani Bank from 1996 and also played for Mohamedan and Brothers Union.
"No doubt, Emily is a good striker and I don't know whether I will be able to cover his absence and I am looking forward to returning to the national fold with my performance and I will only be satisfied if I can play my natural game," said striker Robin, who terrorised the opponent defenders with his speed.
Abahani signed up six out of 31 players, who are in the national camp and playmaker Shahed is one of them, who was picked up for the national camp at the last moment by national coach Edson Silva Dido.
"I had a dream of playing for Abahani and it's a dream come true for me" said Abahani's fresh recruit Shahed, who was picked for his impressive performance with Youngmen Club Fakirerpool in the Senior Division Football League and for Feni Soccer Club in the inaugural Champions Club Cup.
The signed up players are: Goalkeepers - Biplob Bhattacharya, Ziaur Rahman Zia and Sohel, defenders - Ibnul Siraji, Obaidur Rahman, Nazrul Islam, M Sujan, Rajani Kanta Barman, Atiqur Rahman Mishu and Mithu, midfielders - Pranotosh Kumar, Jahed Parvez, Motiur Munna, Abul Hossain and Shahed, strikers - M Robin and Enamul Haq.