Sheikh Jamal stand in Abahani's way

Since Sheikh Jamal DC's elevation to top-flight football, the clash between them and traditional powerhouse Abahani has turned into a mouth-watering one. The neighbouring outfits are to square off again in the Federation Cup semifinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.

Defending champions Abahani have their sights on a third consecutive title and the ten-time champions are seemingly determined to reach the final but Sheikh Jamal stand between them and a hattrick title.

Sheikh Jamal had earlier shown the exit path to Abahani either from the quarterfinals or the semifinals in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions after having lost an entertaining Federation Cup final in 2010 where Abahani won the match 5-3 against the debutants.

Sheikh Jamal played five successive finals of Federation Cup from 2010, but they failed to make it to the final in 2016 and 2017.  Abahani eliminated Sheikh Jamal from the semifinals of the 2017 edition, thanks to a lone goal from Nigerian Emeka Darlington.

Though Abahani are ahead of Sheikh Jamal on paper this time around, both teams have showed their potential in group stages and quarterfinal matches. Abahani showed their character by coming from behind twice to beat Arambagh KS while Sheikh Jamal outplayed Saif SC to notch up a deserved victory in the last-eight battle.  

Abahani's striking pair of Kervens Belfort and Sunday Chizoba played a great role in the quarterfinal clash against Arambagh while Gambian forwards Sainey Bojang and Solomon King have been the architects behind the win over Saif SC. Today's match is likely going to be a show between the foreign strikers of the two teams.  

“I think Abahani are favourites and we will win the match by demonstrating good performance because the boys have shown consistent performance in the last two big matches,” said Abahani coach Jakaria Babu, who has all the players at his disposal following a week-long rest.

“Sheikh Jamal are good opponents, who I think depend on their Gambian players. But we, too, have good foreign players alongside good quality local players. So we will face them with a proper plan and I think we will succeed.”

Sheikh Jamal coach Joseph Afusi is confident about toppling Abahani to reach the final.

“After four months of hard training, we have gained a lot of strength which we have shown in group-stage and quarterfinal matches. We did not play badly in any matches, so I think we should win the match,” said the Nigerian, who guided the Dhanmondi giants to the Federation Cup final three times so far.

“I must agree that our Gambian players are playing well but it would not have been possible if the other players did not provide the support,” said Afusi.