Abahani in AFC Cup playoffs, thanks to club licencing
Abahani are all set to take part in the playoff round of the upcoming 2022 AFC Cup despite not meeting requirements for participation in the Asia's second-tier competition owing to their poor results in the last domestic season.
Six-time professional football league Champions Abahani, who were denied to play in the previous edition of the AFC Cup playoffs due to Covid-related issues, only see themselves in the tournament this time around for having club licencing.
Originally, Sheikh Jamal DC were supposed to take part in the AFC Cup playoff stage as last edition's runners-up of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). However, they failed to obtain the club licencing, a mandatory condition to play the tournament, paving the way for BPL's third-finisher Abahani.
According to the AFC Cup 2022 draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today, the Sky Blues will now take on the winners between Club Valencia of the Maldives and Paro FC of Bhutan in the playoff round-2, scheduled for April 12.
If Abahani overcome their first hurdle, they will have to face the winners between ATK Mohun Bagan and the winners of the clubs from Sri Lanka and Nepal in the playoff round-3 on April 19.
Subject to clearing the six-team playoff round, Abahani will qualify to the group stages and will join Gokulam Kerala FC of India, Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh and Maziya S&RC in Group D.
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