Also read: Abahani get AFC Cup finals ticket
When queried the reason behind Wedson's exclusion, Saif Sporting's managing director Nasiruddin Chowdhury said he "failed to fulfill the team's demand", adding that the Haitian's contract will conclude on January 31 this year. Saif Sporting, formed only 16 months ago, and Chittagong Abahani have the same owner. Saif Sporting have roped in seven players from the port-city outfit for the AFC Cup. Forwards Zahid Hossain, Mohammad Abdullah and Tawhidul Alam Sabuj, midfielders Sohel Rana and Masuk Mia Joni, defenders Nurul Naim Faysal and Sushanta Tripura and goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana are the players who were registered by Saif Sporting for only the AFC Cup. The seven players are eligible to play for Chittagong Abahani in the Independence Cup starting next week. Following the conclusion of their premier league campaign Thursday, Saif Sporting will begin their preparation for the AFC Cup with a residential training camp in BKSP, starting Tuesday. The club will play their first match of the preliminary stage against TC Sports Club of Maldives at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on January 23 before playing the away match seven days later. Meanwhile, BPL champion Abahani Limited, who also won the Federation Cup title, will be playing directly in the AFC Cup qualifiers and will have one more month to submit their final squad. Abahani football manager Satyajit Das Rupu told Dhaka Tribune that they will also strengthen the squad before the deadline, including roping in an Asian player.
