Bangladesh Football Federation is on the threshold of applying to the government for the nationality of three foreign players, who have already stayed in the country for five years.
According to the rules and regulations of world football governing body Fifa, a foreigner will only be eligible for naturalisation if he or she resides in that particular country for a minimum of five years.
It was learned that the request was put forward by national head coach Lodewijk de Kruif and if the government agrees then Guinean striker Ismael Bangoura, Nigerian forward Kingsley Chigozie and Ghanaian defender Samad Yussif will soon don the red and green jersey. This instance has never been witnessed before in the history of Bangladesh football.
De Kruif, apparently, wants the players available ahead of the 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifier away to Australia on September 3 this year.
“With all the documents, we will apply for their nationality in two days’ time. Now, our main objective is to make sure they continue playing in Bangladesh,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag yesterday.
