Chittagong Abahani Limited

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For the Dhaka football team, see Abahani Limited Dhaka. For the Dhaka cricket team, see Abahani Limited cricket team.

Chittagong Abahani
Chittagong Abahani official logo.png
Full nameChittagong Abahani Limited
Nickname(s)Blue Pirates
(Bengali: ব্লু পাইরেটস)
Short nameCAL
Founded10 October 1980; 41 years ago (1980-10-10)
GroundM. A. Aziz Stadium
(Currently using Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in ongoing season)
Capacity36,000
PresidentBangladesh M. Abdul Latif
Head CoachBangladesh Maruful Haque
LeagueBangladesh Premier League
2020-21BPL, 5th of 13
colours
Current season

Chittagong Abahani Limited (Bengali: চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী লিমিটেড), also known as Chattogram Abahani, is a sports club based in Chittagong, Bangladesh. A wing of Abahani Limited was established at Chittagong in 1980 known as Chittagong Abahani.[1] Though it is an wing of Abahani Limited, Chittagong Abahani has its own directorial board & club structure. It is considered as the most successful football club from Chittagong. It is currently a team of Bangladesh Premier League.

The team was relegated from Bangladesh Premier League in 2010–11 season. It again gained the promotion to Premier League by becoming champion of the 2013 Bangladesh Championship League.[2] The club host Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, a bi-annual tournament in memory of their founder, Sheikh Kamal.[3] They won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2015.[4] The club won their first major domestic trophy in 2016 by winning the 2016 Independence Cup under the guidance of Slovak coach Jozef Pavlik.[5] Chittagong Abahani had a fierce rivalry with Chittagong Mohammedan earlier in Chittagong Premier League and later in Bangladesh Premier League.

History[]

1980–2000: Beginning[]

In late 1970s, Didarul Alam Chowdhury was inspired by the Dhaka-based club Abahani Limited Dhaka. He is a football organizer from Chittagong. Didarul wanted to establish an wing of Abahani in Chittagong for the betterment of Sports in Chittagong. He convened a meeting with other local organizers on 10 October 1980. With the meeting, Chittagong Abahani officially started its journey.

Iqbal Khan, popular footballer of Chittagong and father of Tamim Iqbal & Nafees Iqbal, played a vital role Chittagong Abahani's inception.[6] He also played for Chittagong Abahani. Chittagong Abahani won their first-ever Chittagong League title under his captaincy.[6]

2000–2014: Journey at top level[]

Chittagong Abahani qualified for the 2000-01 National Football Championship by crowning 1999 Chittagong League title. The team finished 3rd in the NFC season. In 2001-02 National Football Championship, Ctg Abahani finished at Super Four. Chittagong Abahani also became runners-up twice of Chittagong League in 2000s decade.

In 2007, Bangladesh Football Federation started B. League (now Bangladesh Premier League), country's first professional football league. Chittagong Abahani was one of the founding teams of the league. After struggling in the first three seasons, Ctg Abahani relegated to Bangladesh Championship League in 2010–11 season.

The port city outfit finished at the bottom in their first BCL season. However, there was no relegation system for second tier in that time which saved the team from demotion. The Blue Pirates made a strong comeback in next season becoming Champion of 2013-14 BCL & came back to top tier. Chittagong Abahani finished at 9th in 2014-15 BPL, their returning season to top tier.

2015–present: Beginning of the revolutionary era[]

In November 2014, Tarafder Ruhul Amin of Saif Powertec Limited became chairman of Chittagong Abahani Directorial Board.[7][8] Saif Powertec Limited becomes new sponsor of Chittagong Abahani.

In 2015, Chittagong Abahani organised inaugural edition of Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup at M. A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong before the 2015-16 domestic season.[9] It was the first international club tournament at Chittagong since 1982. Chittagong Abahani won the tournament beating Kolkata giant East Bengal in final.[10] The huge attendance of the final broke all the recent records. The port city outfit gave their arrival message as a rising giant with this tournament.

In May 2016, Chittagong Abahani won 2016 Independence Cup under their first ever foreign coach Jozef Pavlik.[11] It was the first domestic major trophy of the club history. Chittagong Abahani finished at 2nd in 2016 BPL, their best result ever.[12] They signed Bangladesh national team Captain Mamunul Islam, Bhutan international Chencho Gyeltshen, former Haiti international Fabrice Noel & Leonel Saint Preux for this season.

Chittagong Abahani also become runners-up of 2017 Independence Cup, 2017 Federation Cup & finished 3rd in 2017-18 BPL.[13] However, the Blue Pirates performed down in 2018–19 season as they knocked out from both tournaments in quarterfinal & obtained 8th position in the league.

Maruful Haque era[]

Current squad[]

Chittagong Abahani Ltd. squad for 2021–22 season.

As of 19 December 2021

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Bangladesh BAN Azad Hossain
2 DF Bangladesh BAN Kamrul Islam
3 DF Bangladesh BAN Shawkat Russel
4 DF Bangladesh BAN Soeb Mia
5 DF Bangladesh BAN Jalal Mia
6 DF Bangladesh BAN Arafat Hossen
7 FW Bangladesh BAN Mohamed Zahid Hossain
8 MF Bangladesh BAN Saker Ullah
9 FW Bangladesh BAN Shakawat Hossain Rony
10 MF Bangladesh BAN Shohel Rana
11 FW Bangladesh BAN Rubel Miya
12 MF Bangladesh BAN Koushik Barua (Captain)
14 MF Bangladesh BAN Mohammad Munna
15 DF Bangladesh BAN Apu Ahamed
16 DF Bangladesh BAN Sakib Sultan Rafu
17 FW Bangladesh BAN Arifur Rahman
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 MF Bangladesh BAN Robiul Hasan
19 MF Afghanistan AFG Omid Popalzay
20 FW South Africa RSA William Twala
21 MF Bangladesh BAN Rasedul Islam
22 GK Bangladesh BAN Nayeem Mia
23 DF Bangladesh BAN Monir Alam
24 FW Bangladesh BAN Toriqul Islam Julfikar
25 GK Bangladesh BAN SK Saiful Islam
26 DF Nigeria NGA Kehinde Yisa Anifowoshe
27 FW Nigeria NGA Peter Ebimobowei
28 DF Bangladesh BAN Amit Hasan
30 GK Bangladesh BAN Showkat Hossen Hasan
31 GK Bangladesh BAN Emon Hawladar
55 DF Bangladesh BAN Nazim Uddin Mithu
99 FW Bangladesh BAN Masum Mia

Personnel[]

Current technical staff[]

As of November 2021

Position Name
Head Coach Bangladesh Maruful Haque
Assistant Coaches Bangladesh Tajuddin Taju
Bangladesh Abdul Kayum Santu
Goalkeeping Coach Bangladesh Mohammad Poniruzzaman
Physio Bangladesh Nurul Islam
Team Manager Bangladesh Arman Aziz

Coaches[]

Board of Directors[]

As of January 2020.

Position Name
President Bangladesh M. Abdul Latif
Vice-president Bangladesh Tarafder MD Ruhul Amin
General Secretary Bangladesh Shamsul Haque Chowdhury
Director Bangladesh Mahbubul Alam
Secretary (Football Committee) Bangladesh Shakil Mahmud Chowdhury

Team records[]

Head coach's record[]

As of 2 January 2022
Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu was assistant coach & head coach of the club for more than 3 years
Coach From To P W D L GS GA %W
Bangladesh Shafiqul Islam Manik 10 August 2015 January 2016 5 4 0 1 12 6 080.00
Slovakia Jozef Pavlík 30 March 2016 21 September 2016 16 8 5 3 26 17 050.00
Bangladesh Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu 21 September 2016 31 December 2016 15 11 2 2 23 8 073.33
Bangladesh Saiful Bari Titu 9 January 2017 4 January 2018 29 18 6 5 40 23 062.07
Bangladesh Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu 4 January 2018 3 August 2019 38 10 14 14 38 41 026.32
Bangladesh Maruful Haque October 2019 Present 43 22 8 13 63 43 051.16

Top scorers by season[]

As of 27 August 2021
Bah, thetop scorer of the club IN 2018-19 season
Season Player BPL Federation Cup Independence Cup Total Goals
2017-18 Bangladesh Tawhidul Alam Sabuz 8 0 2 10
2018–19 The Gambia Momodou Bah 6 2 3 11
2019-20 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 4 1 – 5
2020-21 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 12 1 – 13

All-time top scorers[]

Since 2017–18 season.

Ranking Name Years Goals
1 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 2019– 18
2 Nigeria Matthew Chinedu 2019– 12
3 The Gambia Momodou Bah 2018-19 11
4 Bangladesh Tawhidul Alam Sabuj 2017-18 10
5 Bangladesh Rakib Hossain 2019 9
6 Ivory Coast Kpehi Didier Brossou 2019– 8
7 Nigeria Nduka Alison 2017-18 6
8 Bangladesh Zahid Hossain 2017-18 5
Nigeria Magalan Ugochukwu 2018-19 5
Nigeria Afeez Olawale Oladipo 2017-18 5

Source: Soccerway

All-time top scorers in BPL[]

Since 2017–18 season.

As of 27 August 2021
Ranking Name Years Goals
1 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 2020– 16
2 Nigeria Matthew Chinedu 2019– 11
3 Bangladesh Tawhidul Alam Sabuj 2017-18 8
4 Bangladesh Rakib Hossain 2019- 7
Ivory Coast Didier Brossou 2019– 7
6 The Gambia Momodou Bah 2018-19 6
7 Nigeria Nduka Alison 2017-18 4
Nigeria Nkwocha Kingsley Chigozie 2019 4
Bangladesh Zahid Hossain 2017-18 4

Source: Soccerway


Most appearances in BPL[]

Since 2017–18 season:

As of 27 August 2021
Ranking Name Years App.
1 Bangladesh Monir Alam 2018- 52
2 Bangladesh Koushik Barua 2017- 47
3 Bangladesh Monaem Khan 2018- 45
4 Nigeria Mufta Lawal 2017-19 39
5 Nigeria Matthew Chinedu 2019- 30
6 Brazil Nixon Guylherme 2019- 29
Bangladesh Mannaf Rabby 2017-18, 2019- 29
8 Bangladesh Mohammad Nehal 2017-20 27
Bangladesh Rakib Hossain 2019- 27

Source: Soccerway

Recent seasons[]

Season League Level Position Movements
1998–99 Chittagong

League

Regional

Top Tier

1st qualified for

2000 NFC

2000–01 NFC 1st Tier 3rd of 8
2001–02 NFC 1st Tier Super Four

(3rd of 48)

2003–04 Chittagong

League

Regional

Top Tier

2nd of 10
2005–06 Chittagong

League

Regional

Top Tier

2nd
2007–08 BPL 1st Tier 10th of 11
2008–09 BPL 1st Tier 8th of 11
2009–10 BPL 1st Tier 11th of 13
2010–11 BPL 1st Tier 12th of 12 Relegated
2011–12 BCL 2nd Tier 7th of 7
2012–13 BCL 2nd Tier 1st of 8 Promoted
2013–14 BPL 1st Tier 8th of 10
2014–15 BPL 1st Tier 9th of 11
2015–16 BPL 1st Tier 2nd of 12
2017–18 BPL 1st Tier 3rd of 12
2018–19 BPL 1st Tier 8th of 13
2019–20 BPL 1st Tier 2nd of 13 (league abandoned)
2020–21 BPL 1st Tier 5th of 13

Source: RSSF

Stadium[]

The M. A. Aziz Stadium with 25000-plus capacity is the primary home venue of Chittagong Abahani. They play their home matches of BPL in this stadium. They also organise Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, a biannual international football tournament, at this stadium.

However, the club currently playing their home matches at Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium of Cumilla. The club also used Bangabandhu National Stadium as home venue in some seasons due to COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh and other reasons.[19][20]

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors[]

Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsor
2015–2017 Unknown Saif Powertec Limited
2018–2019 Unknown Saif Power Battery
2019–2020 Noor Enterprise Saif Power Battery
2020– Noor Enterprise Ignite Battery

Honours[]

League[]

Cup[]

Invitational[]

Notable players[]

The players below, have international caps for their respective countries whilst playing for Chittagong Abahani.

References[]

  1. ^ "Bangladesh – Abahani Limited Chittagong". Soccerway.
  2. ^ "Ctg Abahani wins BCL title". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Sheikh Kamal Int'l Club Cup football tournament kicks off Oct 20". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Hasina says Chittagong Abahani created history in Bangladesh football". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Chittagong Abahani win Independence Cup". Daily Sun. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 March 2017.
  6. ^ a b বাবার দেখানো পথে. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  7. ^ Majida, Ismat (2 December 2018). ব্যবসা ও ক্রীড়াঙ্গনে সফল মানুষ তরফদার রুহুল আমিন. পাঠক নিউজ (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. ^ সফল ব্যবসায়ী থেকে দুর্দান্ত ফুটবল সংগঠক. Sahos (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  9. ^ ইস্ট বেঙ্গলকে হারিয়ে চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী চ্যাম্পিয়ন. NTV (in Bengali). 30 October 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  10. ^ ইস্ট বেঙ্গলকে হারিয়ে শিরোপা জিতল চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী. Bhorer Kagoj (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  11. ^ টিকে থাকবে তো চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী?. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  12. ^ প্রিমিয়ার লিগের চ্যাম্পিয়ন ও রানার্সআপ দুই আবাহনী ট্রফি পাচ্ছে আজ. The Daily Sangram (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  13. ^ চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীর হারে রানার্সআপ শেখ জামাল. Jugantor (in Bengali). 8 January 2018.
  14. ^ "Ctg Abahani rope in Manik". The Daily Star. 10 August 2015.
  15. ^ "Ctg Abhani want Manik to be punished". The Daily Star. 16 March 2016.
  16. ^ "Chittagong Abahani introduce new foreign coach". The Daily Observer.
  17. ^ চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীতে টিটু. Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
  18. ^ Hoque, Shishir (30 October 2019). "Maruful, the tactical mastermind". Dhaka Tribune.
  19. ^ "চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনীর হোম ভেন্যু ঢাকায়!". m.mzamin.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  20. ^ "পেশাদার লিগ আয়োজনে বঞ্চিত এম এ আজিজ স্টেডিয়াম". দৈনিক ইত্তেফাক (in Bengali). 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2022.

External links[]

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