Dhaka Abahani off to Guwahati without key booter Chizoba

AFC Cup

FE Team | Published: June 23, 2019 21:42:18

A 32-member Dhaka Abahani Limited football team reached Guwahati on Sunday to play their last Group E match of the AFC Cup against India's Minerva Punjab scheduled for June 26 at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati at 04:00 pm (BST), reports UNB.
The Dhanmondi based outfit left Dhaka on Sunday morning without their key booter Sunday Chizoba, who is again facing Indian visa complications.
Abahani Team Manager Satyajit Das Rupu said on Sunday that Sunday Chizoba is again facing visa complications for his Nigerian passport.
"We have reached Guwahati on Sunday afternoon. But, Sunday hasn't joined us. He is again facing Indian visa complications," he said.
While asked about his participation in the last Group match, Rupu replied, "We are still working on the issue. We can confirm you today (Monday)."
Abahani have now reached the summit of 4-team group with 10 points from five matches with three wins, one draw and one loss while Channaiyin FC have secured 8 points from five matches with two wins, one loss and two draws.
Minerva Punjab have earned five points from their five matches with 5 consecutive draws and Manang Marshyangdi remained at the bottom-placed with their previous credit of just 2 points from five encounters with two draws and three defeats.
In their last match, six-time Bangladesh Professional Football League champions Dhaka Abahani Limited crushed Nepalese champions Manang Marshyangdi Club by 5-0 goals in their home match at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on June 19.
Local star Nabib Newaz Ziban, Haitian forward Kervens Belfort, midfielder Jewel Rana, Nigerian Sunday Chizoba and midfielder Mamunul Islam Mamun scored one goal each for hosts Dhaka Abahani.
In day's match, Sunday missed several chances to convert a goal within the opening minute of the game.
The Nigerian forward finally got the success in the 75th minute and netted his second goal of the AFC Cup for Dhaka Abahani Limited.
However, Sunday further consolidated his position in the scorer list of the ongoing BPL scoring 14 goals while his teammate Nabib Newaz Ziban followed him with 11 goals.
In another match, Manang Marshyangdi will host Chennaiyin FC at ANFA Complex in Kathmandu on June 26.