Nepal to land today

Nepal national football team faced another blow yesterday with two more players testing Covid-19 positive before leaving the country today for Dhaka where they are scheduled to play two friendlies this month.

Nepal are scheduled to land in the capital this morning. After arriving here, all 35 members of the visiting team will undergo further Covid-19 tests today under the supervision of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

"All members of Nepal team are supposed to board after Covid-19 negative results and they will again be tested here. The visitors will stay at the hotel until the results of the covid-19 tests come out and then avail training facilities," said BFF executive Mahmudul Hasan.

It has been learned that Nepal are going to keep two footballers, who were the roommates of two footballers who tested positive yesterday, out of the squad in fear of further infection among the rest members.  

Nepal had initially called up 30 players for the friendlies but five tested Covid-19 positive before the start of their preparation on Oct 31. Bangladesh are scheduled to play the friendlies on November 13 and 17 at Bangabandhu National Stadium. The matches will kick off at 5:00pm in front of a limited number of spectators.

Meanwhile, defender Tutul Hossain Badsha withdrew himself citing his sickness. Earlier, the defender had however skipped the training camp on account of tending to his sick wife. Midfielder Mamunul Islam is in doubt to be included in the final squad following a small fracture on his left hand.