Mamunul bows out as Abahani keep pressure on Kings

Former Bangladesh captain Mamunul Islam played the final match of his professional career as Abahani kept up the pressure on league leaders Bashundhara Kings in the Bangladesh Football League on Friday.

Mamunul drew the curtain on a 21-year senior career during Fortis FC’s home match against Rahmatganj MFS at the Bashundhara Kings Arena. The veteran midfielder was substituted after 25 minutes, making way for youngster Murshed Ali.

Fortis secured a thrilling 3-2 victory, coming from behind twice, with Pa Omar Babou scoring a brace and Onyekachi Okafor adding the other goal. Jayed Ahmed and Andrew Appau scored for Rahmatganj.

The win consolidated Fortis’ third position in the table with 28 points from 15 matches, six behind leaders Kings.

Mamunul, the left-footed maestro from Chattogram, was later given a warm farewell by club officials and players, bringing an emotional end to his illustrious career.

Meanwhile, Abahani remained three points adrift of Kings after a comfortable 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Young Men’s Fakirerpool Club in Cumilla. 

Emeka Ogbugh opened the scoring in the 39th minute, while Sheikh Morsalin doubled the lead in the 67th minute.

Fakirerpool stayed rooted to the bottom with 10 points, while Abahani moved to 31 points. With matches against PWD SC, Bashundhara Kings and Arambagh KS still to come, their home clash against Kings on May 15 could prove decisive in the title race.

Elsewhere, Bangladesh Police FC strengthened their hold on fourth place with a 1-0 win over PWD SC, courtesy of a stoppage-time goal from Danilo Augusto. Police moved to 22 points, while PWD remained second from bottom with 13.