Bangladesh Premier League and Federation Cup champions Abahani flew in coach Smario Lemos yesterday.

The Portuguese, who was a fitness trainer under former Bangladesh national team head coach Andrew Ord, joined on a seven-month agreement having seen out his contract as head coach of Malaysian side Negrei Sembilan.

“Although I was a fitness trainer under Ord for three months here, my job was that of an assistant coach as I scouted and helped in making gameplans. I know the players very well, so it won't be a problem for me,” added the AFC A licence holder.

Abahani recently retained their Federation Cup crown under local coach Jakarta Babu, but they had been looking for a foreign coach ever since Drago Mamic left the club in November last year.