Nigerian Eleta Kingsley's debut and Finland-born Tariq Raihan Kazi's maiden international goal marked Bangladesh's 1-0 win over Seychelles in the first Fifa friendly of two-match series at Sylhet District Stadium Saturday.
According to media report, this is Bangladesh's first ever win over an African country.
It was Tariq who first caught all limelight when the defender headed home two minutes from the half-time whistle.
Skipper Jamal Bhuiyan's free-kick was cleared by Brandon Shaphy in a wrong direction to meet Tariq, who powered it into top left corner.
It was Tariq's first international goal in his 12th appearance for Bangladesh after making debut under former head coach Jamie Day in 2021.
Spotlight shifted toward Eleta soon after his name was announced as the first substitute of the second half.
The 33-year old became the first African-origin footballer to play for Bangladesh.
Eleta, born and raised in Nigeria, started playing in Bangladesh's domestic league in 2011 and married a Bangladeshi a year later.
He applied for Bangladeshi citizenship in 2014, with it being granted in 2021.
He currently plays for Abahani Limited.
The forward replaced Aminur Rahman Sojib who couldn't make any impact in the opening half where neither team managed to create any clear-cut chances.
Eleta had a couple of opportunities afterwards.
Just following the hour-mark, he fired over the bar from a one-on-one situation with the opponent goalie after being set up by other substitute Matin Mia who had replaced Jamal earlier.
Two minutes before the end of stipulated time, Alvin Michel, the Seychelles goalkeeper produced a decent save to deny Eleta's left-footed attempt from just outside the box.
Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera also gave Fortis midfielder Mojibur Rahman Jony the debut as one of the surprises in the starting call-up, alongside Sojib who hadn't played for the national team since 2015.
Reliable center-back Topu Barman also returned to the playing XI after a gap of one and a half years due to injury layoff.
“We worked hard in the last three weeks and this result is the output. There is still one match left and we want to do even better,” said Topu after the game.
The victory means Bangladesh got their first international win at home since they defeated Nepal in a Fifa friendly in Dhaka on November 13, 2020.
The second match of the ongoing Fifa International Series against Seychelles will be held at the same venue this Tuesday.