SPORTS REPORTER

Eleta Kingsley was recalled to the national football team as the Nigerian-born naturalised forward made the cut in Bangladesh’s 27-member preliminary squad for the Tri-Nation Cup involving Seychelles and Brunei from March 22 to 28 in Sylhet.

Kingsley was first introduced under interim coach Oscar Bruzon, who however was forced to drop him following the ambiguity regarding FIFA clearance. Kingsley since then did not feature in Bangladesh’s next 11 matches, played from November, 2021 to September, 2022.

“We are confident to play him this time. I’m looking forward to seeing him in the training with us and see how he can fit in the team,” Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera told reporters during squad announcement at the BFF House yesterday.

The Spaniard also called up three new faces -- defender Alamgir Mollah of Abahani, midfielder Mojibur Rahman Jony of Fortis Academy and goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon of Muktijoddha Sangsad -- and axed 10 players who were part of Bangladesh’s two FIFA friendly encounters against Mongolia and Nepal in September last year.

BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag said, “We will play him [Kingsley] at our own risk because FIFA had previously told us that we could play him in the match but if anyone raises questions, then we have to defend it. I think we are prepared with whatever documents we have regarding Eleta.”

Split into two groups, Bangladesh are set to depart for Saudi Arabia on March 5 for a 10-day training camp.