Guinean Ismael Bangoura and Nigerian duo Kingsley Chigozie and Samad Yussif went one step further in acquiring Bangladeshi citizenship after the three foreign Bangladesh Premier League recruits formally sat in a meeting with the Bangladesh Football Federation yesterday.
The three footballers, who have completed the minimum five-year service for becoming eligible for naturalisation, and the federation reached a mutual understanding in their meeting as the BFF will now begin the procedure by submitting their appeal to the home ministry with all the necessary documents next week.
“They officially agreed to play for Bangladesh national team. Now after collecting all the documents the BFF will apply to the home ministry and after the naturalisation, BFF will contact Fifa for the final approval,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag yesterday.
The BFF made their statement clear to the players about how the national team run and what facilities the national players get and assured them to provide the same facility as current ones get. The foreigners agreed with it.
The African trio are taking the step positively as they are also looking forward to represent Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is not the first country to do so as many countries have already done it (give citizenship). If it doesn’t benefit why would they so it. I think it is positive for Bangladesh also,” said the Mohammedan striker before adding, “I adjusted with the environment and condition of this country in five years.”
On the other hand, Bangladesh’s Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif also supported the move and is keen to get hold of the players before the 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifier away match to Australia on September 3.
