The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship is scheduled to be held in Dhaka from November 4 to 17. The tournament logo has already been unveiled, and the official draw has been conducted. Six teams have been divided into two groups, with Nepal currently excluded pending their FIFA suspension status. If Nepal manages to return to international football by September 30, they will be integrated into Group A alongside hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. Group B consists of India, Pakistan, and the Maldives. SAFF authorities are expected to release the final match schedule once the situation regarding Nepal is resolved.
Despite the tournament being months away, anticipation is building as Bangladesh aims for the title. The inclusion of world-class players like Dewan Hamza Chowdhury and Shamit Shom has revitalized the team, leading to a period of promising performances over the last 18 months. Notably, the team demonstrated significant growth during the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, highlighted by a historic victory over India—the first in 22 years—alongside a goalless draw on Indian soil and a 1-1 draw against Hong Kong. Former national players believe the upcoming SAFF Championship serves as the ultimate proving ground for this revamped squad.
Former striker Sheikh Aslam expressed optimism regarding the team’s prospects, stating that Bangladesh consistently performs well in the SAFF tournament. He noted that the current squad, bolstered by expatriate talent, has a prime opportunity to secure the trophy, which would be a monumental achievement for the nation. However, Aslam emphasized the need for clinical finishing in the attacking third. While acknowledging that players like Hamza and Shom provide excellent service from the midfield, he pointed out that the team still struggles with striking efficiency. According to Aslam, addressing these finishing issues is critical for the team to advance further.
Former national team captain Kaiser Hamid echoed these sentiments, describing the current squad as significantly stronger than previous iterations. He believes the team enters the tournament as favorites and must now translate the surrounding hype into on-field success. With the tournament marking the debut of players like Hamza and Shom in the SAFF competition, the nation is reigniting its dream of winning a second title, having previously won only once in 2003. Hamid remains confident that given their recent form and the ability to defeat regional powerhouses like India, winning the championship is a realistic goal.
Former captain Mamunul Islam stressed that Bangladesh must now prove its status as the best team in South Asia by winning the trophy. He urged the squad to shift their mindset from merely competing to winning, noting that the team must be mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. Mamunul emphasized that the SAFF Championship is not an easy tournament and requires a championship-winning atmosphere to succeed. He stated, “We must think about how we approach each tournament. While we played the Asian Cup qualifiers to advance to the next round, this time our objective must be to win the championship.”
