Bottom clubs make moves while giants stay frozen by transfer ban

Bangla Press Desk:  While Bangladesh’s traditional giants Mohammedan SC, Abahani Limited Dhaka and Bashundhara Kings remain unable to sign new players due to FIFA-imposed transfer bans, clubs fighting at the lower end of the table are using the second registration window to strengthen their squads and avoid relegation.

PWD Sports Club and Fakirerpool YMC have been particularly active, both targeting a turnaround in the second phase of the Bangladesh Football League (BFL).

League newcomers PWD Sports Club finished the first phase in the relegation zone with just 7 points from nine matches. Determined to stay in this tournament, PWD have added five new players during the ongoing transfer window, including a foreign signing. The club has recruited 29-year-old Pakistani midfielder Ali Uzair Mahmood, who becomes PWD’s fourth foreign player this season.

PWD head coach Anwar Hossain confirmed the signings and hinted at further additions.

“We have signed four local players from my Under-17 group — Faisal, Manik, Ikramul and left-back Redwan. We may sign a few more players. There is a meeting tomorrow (Saturday), and after that we will decide if more reinforcements are needed,” Anwar said.

Meanwhile, Fakirerpool YMC ended the first phase slightly above PWD, sitting eighth in the table with 9 points. Despite the marginal advantage, Fakirerpool are not taking any chances and have also been active in the market. The club recently added a foreign player as part of their plan to secure safety before the league enters its decisive stage.

While the lower-ranked teams are busy rebuilding, Fortis FC continue to quietly impress at the other end of the table. Having matched Bashundhara Kings on points after a strong first phase, Fortis are also expected to add a new striker, hoping to capitalise on the transfer restrictions faced by the traditional heavyweights.

The second player registration window remains open until 31 January, with the league resuming on 6 February. As the second phase unfolds, the fight to avoid relegation is set to be just as intense as the title race.

The second player registration window remains open until 31 January, with no league matches scheduled during this period. The second phase of the BFL begins on 6 February, running until 25 April, with matches held across Cumilla, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Gazipur and Dhaka’s Bashundhara Kings Arena.

As the title contenders struggle under transfer restrictions, the relegation battle promises to be just as intense.

BP/TD