Mohammedan unveil 33-man squad with treble ambition

Mohammedan Sporting Club has officially completed its squad for the 2026-27 domestic football season, signalling a strong ambition to win titles after securing key transfers, including national team goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico and winger Foysal Ahmed Fahim.

While several domestic clubs are currently struggling with FIFA bans and transfer complications, the traditional black-and-whites have shown clear planning from the start. A festive mood has returned to the club. On Thursday afternoon, players arrived at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in horse-drawn carriages to complete their transfer formalities.

A vibrant ceremony was held at the club's black-and-white tent on Thursday to unveil the 33-man squad. The event was attended by club president Barkat Ullah Bulu, director Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, team manager Amirul Islam Babu, and other officials, including football committee chairman Mostafa Kamal, cricket committee chairman Masuduzzaman, and hockey committee chairman Sajed AA Adel.

The registration of Zico on Wednesday marked the final and most surprising move of their transfer window. Mohammedan brought in nine players from recent treble winners Bashundhara Kings. The new arrivals include goalkeeper Zico, defenders Saad Uddin, Tony Agabaji and Rimon Hossain, midfielders Sohel Rana, Mojibur Rahman Jony and Shahriar Emon, alongside forwards Emanuel Sunday and Foysal Ahmed Fahim.

The goalkeeper expressed his delight at joining the club, revealing it had been a long-term goal. He noted that he had been in contact with Mohammedan since his Under-19 days, but his previous contract with Bashundhara Kings prevented the move.

"I feel good joining a traditional club like Mohammedan," Zico said on Thursday. "If the new and experienced players unite and give their best on the pitch, winning the title is possible." The national team goalkeeper also promised to uphold the club's rich history through his performances on the field.

Mohammedan won the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) in May of the previous year, ending a 23-year drought, but slipped to a fifth-place finish in the most recent season. Now, the club is desperate to win the treble. To strengthen their attack, they have also brought back their former captain, Souleymane Diabate, from rivals Abahani.

The squad has been strengthened across all departments. The goalkeeping unit includes Zico, Sujon Hossain, Ahsan Habib Bipu and Ismail Hossain Mahin. The defense features Rahmat Mia, Saad Uddin, Shakil Ahad Topu, Jahid Hasan Shanto, Tony Agabaji, Rimon Hossain and Hafizur Rahman Babu. The midfield is packed with Sohel Rana (junior), Minhaj Abedin Ballu, Mehedi Hasan Royal, Jewel Mia, Mojibur Rahman Jony, Shafiul Hossain and Amir Hakim Bappi. In attack, Diabate is joined by Sourav Dewan, Emanuel Sunday, Faysal Ahmed Fahim and Joy Ahmed.

Beyond the transfer market, club president Barkat Ullah Bulu outlined a long-term vision to make the club financially self-sufficient. He said the club must use its own assets to reduce reliance on outside donations. Bulu revealed plans to build a modern, European-style sports complex on a 75-bigha plot of land owned by the club in Savar.

The club also aims to revive the country's old football culture. Bulu said Mohammedan will send a formal letter to the BFF and the sports ministry, demanding that the Dhaka Stadium be reopened for football to bring back the excitement of classic matches like the Mohammedan-Abahani derby.

"We want to establish Mohammedan as a strong club not just in domestic football, but also at the international level," Bulu said on Thursday. "At the same time, Mohammedan will play a role in creating a new excitement in Bangladesh's sports arena."