Abahani Limited, one of the country's most traditional and beloved football clubs, has fallen on hard times. Despite their past dominance in domestic football, they haven't secured a league title in the last six seasons – an unprecedented slump in their history.
In recent years, an unwritten tradition has emerged in Bangladeshi sport: Abahani reigns supreme in cricket, while Bashundhara Kings rule the roost in football.
Both clubs boast strong squads built with significant financial backing. The remaining teams are essentially left to fight for runners-up positions.
While Abahani remains a powerhouse in cricket, their footballing fortunes have taken a dramatic turn for the worse.
They recently relinquished two trophies within days of celebrating their cricket league title.
This season has been a disaster for the Dhanmondi outfit. Having already lost the Independence Cup and League titles, they suffered a disheartening defeat to Bashundhara Kings in the Federation Cup semi-final.
The lackadaisical performance of Abahani's footballers was particularly concerning. Even after conceding a goal, they displayed a concerning lack of urgency in the second half, appearing resigned to defeat.
Legendary Abahani footballer Sheikh Md. Aslam expressed his deep disappointment with the team's current state. "I watched the match," he said, "and I was utterly disconsolate.
The forwards and midfielders couldn't string a decent pass together in the opposition's half. It's incredibly disheartening to see such a feeble display."
Aslam also questioned the decision to sign national team captain Jamal Bhuiyan, who has struggled to make a significant impact since joining Abahani. "The Bangladesh captain can't even manage to play a full match for Abahani. It's a truly baffling situation. Why did he leave Argentina to join Abahani, and why did Abahani sign him in the first place? It all makes no sense."
Since joining the Premier League in 2018, Bashundhara Kings have established themselves as the dominant force in Bangladeshi football. Their well-funded squad has consistently overshadowed Abahani, who haven't beaten them in a single Premier League match since December 2021.
Kings' dominance has also extended to cup competitions, with Abahani's sole recent success being the 2021 Independence Cup (when Kings opted not to participate due to safety concerns).
Imtiaz Sultan Johnny, captain of Abahani's treble-winning team in 1985, shared his concerns about the club's recent struggles. "Bashundhara Kings are practically wrapping up the league title three or four games early," he remarked. "The gap between the top two teams can sometimes be as high as 12, 14, or even 15 points. This isn't just bad for Abahani, it's detrimental to the overall health of Bangladeshi football."
The traditional rivalry between Abahani and Mohammedan Sporting Club, where both teams would vie for the championship, seems like a distant memory.
Now, both clubs appear content with simply finishing as runners-up.
One factor contributing to Abahani's decline is their struggles in the transfer market. While Abahani has attempted to compete with Kings by signing foreign players, they haven't been as successful as their rivals. Conversely, Kings' acquisition of Dorrilton has proven to be a masterstroke. Abahani's weaknesses extend beyond player recruitment. The club's coaching staff and management have also come under scrutiny.
Their reliance on Portuguese coach Mario Lamos for several years yielded mixed results, and his recent return after a brief dismissal has raised eyebrows.
Additionally, the appointment of veteran coach Andres Cruciani, whose punctuality is reportedly questionable, has further fueled criticism.
The goalkeeper position is paramount in football, yet Abahani has persisted with Atiq as their goalkeeper coach for a considerable period.
While a former national team goalkeeper himself, Kings' current goalkeeper coach, Nuruzzaman Nayan, is considered to be far more adept at employing modern coaching methods.
As a result, Abahani's goalkeeper, Shahidul Alam Sohail, continues to make a string of avoidable errors.
Bashundhara Kings' financial clout allows them to retain talented players on the bench, effectively weakening potential rivals like Abahani in the transfer market.
