Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will begin their preparation for the upcoming season from tomorrow as Nigerian coach Jeseph Afusi, Argentine trainer Ariel Coleman and Haitian striker Sony Norde have already arrived in Dhaka along with two more foreign booters yesterday.
Dazzling striker Sony Norde, who played a key role in Sheikh Russel KC’s treble-winning campaign last season, is set to sign for Sheikh Jamal DC this season at a record signing of 73,000 dollars while new foreign recruits — Haitian striker Anselme Wedson, who played in the Haitian Division-1 for Aigle Noir last season and Nigerian defensive-midfielder Ali Abdullah, who played in the Conference Division League in England – have also come for a trial.
Having arrived after a long 30-hour journey, the duo was not prepared to talk to the media but Abdullah said a few words.
“Time hasn’t come to make statements but I have heard that there are a few clubs in Bangladesh who play competitive football. If I can secure a place, I will be trying to utilise my experience in Bangladesh,” said Abdullah, who believes he would be able to entertain the Bangladesh spectators.
“What I have heard about Sheikh Jamal is fantastic and I believe they will have different time this season and bring some trophies home,” said Abdullah.
All local players except for the ten national booters, who are currently with the SAFF Championship squad, have already reported to the team management while those ten national players including captain Mamunul Islam yesterday visited the club tent at Dhanmondi to spend some time with their teammates.
“The pre-season camp has been scheduled to get underway from Sunday after a discussion with the coach Joseph Afusi” said Sheikh Jamal manager Anwarul Karim Helal.
Afusi initially gets 10 senior players, 18 players from Sheikh Jamal football academy and four foreign players including Nigerian winger Femi Orunimi, who played for Sheikh Jamal one season ago.
Helal also informed that four more Nigerian players are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka for trial within the next five days while the national booters will join the camp after the completion of the SAFF Championship.
Nigerian trainer Coleman had worked with the national team twice – once with his compatriot Diego Cruciani and then with Brazilian coach Edson Silva Dido. Coleman came in Dhaka for the third time to work with a club team while Afusi has been retained after he guided Sheikh Jamal to second position in Federation Cup, Independence Cup and Bangladesh Premier League.
-With The Daily Star input
