Omar K Sisse carries a huge chunk of credit behind Feni Soccer Club’s triumphant run in recent times as it is under the Gambian’s guidance that the small club has made it to their first ever final in a professional football tournament.
Feni reached the final in the Independence Cup, to be held tomorrow, beating giants like defending champions Sheikh Russell and Brothers Union and it was the changes brought by Sisse which turned the side’s fortune.
Sisse’s coaching career in Bangladesh began as the head coach for Sheikh Jamal Academy before he served the club’s senior team as an interim coach in a professional tournament. He joined Feni Scocer Club as head coach this season.
Feni’s position in the Bangladesh Premier League is however not sweet as they are lurking at the bottom with zero win after the end of first leg, but Sisse roped in players from his country during the second transfer window to which the result is in front of everyone.
“The difference between the team we now have and the team we had at the beginning of the season is big; we had a very weak team. Now I bring in players to reinforce the team and we got results,” said the Gambian coach.
Sisse however has a bitter experience from his previous encounter against Mohammedan and said, “Mohammedan is going to be tough one. The referee cheated me last game I played with them and they won. Unnecessarily he showed red card.
“So I’m coming with all kind of forces I have. I know they are better team and they can beat us but I want to beat them.” Sisse said after their victory against Brothers in the semifinal.
Feni failed to win a single game out of nine league matches, but inclusion of Gambians Mathew Mendy, Landing Darboe and Kabba Jobe just took the team spirit to a new level.
Club captain Akbar Hossain Ridon echoed the coach and admitted the positive changes brought in the side by Sisse.
“The team has actually changed after the arrival of Gambian players. The coach spent his own money to bring the players. Feni never gave importance in recruiting foreign players in past. This is the first time six players registered for the club,” said Ridon. “The coach took it as a challenge while bringing the players. He personally told me that we will go to final with this team,” he added.
“The people of Feni are motivating us for the final. The local MP also called and congratulated us,” the skipper added.
Ridon admitted to have immensely improved attacking options at his disposal and they have nothing to lose when they face big name Mohammedan SC in the final tomorrow.