The fallen giants

Mohammedan coach Saiful Bari Titu (L) makes a point while his captain Motiur Munna looks on during a media briefing at the BFF House yesterday. Photo: STAR

While traditional giants Abahani are going strong in the face of the rise of new powerhouses, one-time arch-rivals Mohammedan have found it hard to keep the same footing since the introduction of the professional football league. In it's five editions, Mohammedan have failed to win a title. Sheikh Russel KC, Sheikh Jamal DC and Abahani spend a lot of money for the best possible recruits and take the dividends home regularly but Mohammedan, despite turning into a limited company, are still keeping faith in the young guns who have failed to deliver any domestic title in the last three years.
Mohammedan have roped in hardly any star players except for veterans Rajani Kanta Barman and Motiur Munna this season and this time too it would be unrealistic to hope for the league title from Mohammedan.
“Clinching the title of the Bangladesh Premier League will be very tough but it is not impossible,” was the typical answer from Mohammedan coach Saiful Bari Titu ahead of the league, which starts tomorrow.
Mohammedan's performance in the Federation Cup may raise hopes among it's supporters as they qualified for the semifinals before being knocked out by ultimate champions Sheikh Russel KC, but they have to put in consistent performances over the 16 rounds of matches to win the elusive title.
“Doing well in a cup tournament and a league is not the same thing. The league is a long, grueling run of games which is ultimately decided by players' fitness, injuries, suspension and form. If we can handle these things well, we can hope to play consistently in the league,” believes the Mohammedan coach.
With good fitness levels and running ability, Mohammedan played good football in the season's curtain-raising tournament employing an attacking formation of 3-4-3/3-5-2 but the coach is set to shift his formation to 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 in the league to strengthen his backline.
“Actually I could not play with four defenders in the Federation Cup due to a shortage of wingbacks but it is important to protect ourselves first in the league matches,” said Titu. “The inclusion of Cameroonian Baybeck Fombagne will certainly strengthen our backline.”
Mohammedan is worried about not being able to protect a lead which happened twice in the Federation Cup against Team BJMC and Sheikh Russel KC. Titu believes it happened due to the immaturity of some players.
“Young players have a lack of mental toughness and we lost our commanding position despite taking the lead against Sheikh Russel. The coaching staff is working hard on this issue,” said Titu.
But the situation is now better with the inclusion of proven foreign campaigners -- Nigerian duo Augustine Chibzoba amd Damian Chigozie -- who helped Mohammedan finish third last season despite securing only nine points from their first ten matches.
This time, there are some positive signs for Mohammedan, who appointed striker-cum-coach Alfaz Ahmed, former renowned defender Jewel Rana and former goalkeeper Nizam Majumder to fine-tune the striking, defence and goalkeeping zones which gives head coach Saiful Bari Titu, who has to divide his time between the club and the national team, some breathing space.
Titu believes the players' realisation that they could have done better in the Federation Cup would be key for their league campaign and time will tell whether Mohammedan will be able to break their 10-year title drought in the league.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Titumir Chowdhury Titu, Mamun Khan and Ahsan Habib Dipu.
Defenders: Rajani Kanta Barman, Mohammad Yeasin, Mezbaul Haque Sweet, Tapu Barman, Minthu Sheikh, Koli Ousman and Baybeck Fombagne
Midfielders: Imtiaz Sultan Jitu, Mamun Mia, Saidul Haque Sayeed, Emeka, Motiur Rahman Munna, Mobarrak Hossain, Shariful Islam, Sohel Rana, Habibur Rahman Shohag, Maruf Ahmed, Anisur Rahman Manik, Augustine Chibzuba, Damian Chigozie and Mostafa Ibrahim.
Strikers: Wahed Ahmed, Alfaz Ahmed, Mohammad Robin, Iqbal Hossain and Osei Morrison.