Mohammedan Leave for India Today

Mohammedan Sporting Club will leave Dhaka today to participate in the century old IFA Shield in Kolkata.

Shafiqul Islam Manik's boys, however, will make the trip rather half-hazard, confirmed the Mohammedan coach.

"We have yet to get visa of a few players but I can say now that we are going to take 22 to 23 players," Manik said last night.

Manik informed Mohammedan are lined up against Churchill Brothers of Goa in their opening game on February 28.

Goalkeeper Hassan Al Mamun, defender Jewel Rana, midfielders Arman Aziz and Faisal Mahmud are among many guest players to wear the famous black and white strip in the prestigious tournament. The foreign recruits are Moroccan players Adil and Hakim and Nigerian Paul.

Top Indian sides East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Kolkata Mohammedan are the other teams in the meet but the main attraction would be South African club, Santos FC.

"We have played a tournament (Victory Day Club Cup) recently and after that, we had a few days practice," former national football Manik said about their inadequate preparation.