Mamic coming for Abahani

Croatian coach Drago Mamic is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow to take charge of Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani ahead of two international engagements -- Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup and AFC Cup.

The 62-year-old coach had earlier come here last season to train the Sky Blues for 10 days before leaving for family reasons. The veteran coach has experience of coaching in subcontinent as he had been the head coach of the Maldives national team apart from coaching Churchill Brothers club of India. 

The UEFA pro license coach is all but set to guide Abahani not only in their international engagements but also in the upcoming domestic season where the Sky Blues want to maintain their dominance.

“We are thinking whether we will sign him for six months with a clause of extension or rope in for the whole season. We will take the final decision after discussing the matter with him soon,” said Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu yesterday.

“We are bringing him back because the players were impressed with his training during his 10-day stay last season. Besides, Mamic is also interest to come,” said Rupu.

Meanwhile, the five-time professional league champions have almost retained the services of their old guard including three foreigners while they are trying to replace last season's English midfielder Lee Tuck, who left at the end of last season, with a new recruit.

Ghanaian Samad Yussif, Nigerian Sunday Chizoba and Englishman David Jonathon have so far been confirmed while Sheikh Jamal DC's Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington is likely to play for the Sky Blues in both international tournaments as well as domestic events.