SPORTS REPORTER

With the mid-term transfer window of the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) set to close on January 31, the league’s smaller outfits are moving decisively to reshape the title race and relegation battles, capitalising on a rare opening created by restrictions on the country’s traditional powerhouses.

Abahani, Mohammedan, and joint table-toppers Bashundhara Kings are currently unable to register new players due to a FIFA ruling related to unpaid wages. That situation has left the door ajar for the rest of the league, and the minnows appear keen to step through it.

At the end of the first phase, Kings sit joint top of the 10-team table with 18 points from nine matches alongside Fortis FC, while Rahmatganj are close behind on 15 points. Abahani, meanwhile, are fifth with 13 points, and defending champions Mohammedan are sixth with just 10 points.

As the second phase is expected to begin after the February 12 national elections, clubs outside the big three have turned the mid-season window into a strategic weapon, reinforcing their squads with foreign and regional players in a bid to close the gap at the top and escape the relegation zone.

Footballers from South Asia have dominated the transfer activity, with three Bhutan national team players and two Pakistan national team players already confirmed to make their BFL debuts in the second phase. Several clubs have also brought in players from African nations, alongside additions from Brazil and Russia.

Fortis FC have confirmed the signings of Bhutanese left wing-back Dawa Tshering and local goalkeeper Nayeem Islam, while continuing their search for a striker. Manager Rashedul Islam said the club was focused on maintaining balance rather than wholesale changes.

“We are going to add value instead of numbers because we want to keep the team bonding, combination, and understanding intact,” said Islam.

Second-placed Rahmatganj managed to secure Ghanaian forward Earnest Boateng, a familiar face at the Old Dhaka club, despite financial limitations preventing further reinforcements. Coach Kamal Babu believes the addition could help them “fight for the top two positions” after the side played the first phase without a genuine striker.

Bangladesh Police FC, who sit just behind the leading pack, have signed Bhutanese player Sherub Dorji along with two locals and are close to adding an African forward, as their coach Asifuzzaman aims to see “ourselves on the top of the table.”

At the other end of the table, promoted sides PWD and Arambagh have also been active. PWD brought in a Bhutanese defender, two Pakistani players -- goalkeeper Usman Ali and Ali Uzair -- three foreigners from Brazil, Ghana, and Russia, and five U-19 footballers, including Bangladesh U-19 captain Nazmul Huda Faisal. Arambagh, meanwhile, added a Ghanaian forward and four experienced local players in their bid to escape the relegation zone.

With the giants unable to strengthen and the rest reinforcing aggressively, the second phase of the BFL is shaping up to be an exciting one.