Abahani and Mohammedan have not taken on each other in a title deciding encounter for quite a long time but the wait will finally be over when the two sides face off in the grand finale of the Federation Cup 2023 in Comilla Tuesday.
The much-anticipated Dhaka Derby between the two biggest rivals of the country is scheduled to kick off at Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium at 3:15pm.
It was only last Friday when the two sides played each other in their last Bangladesh Premier League fixture that ended in a 1-1 draw, but the attention was mostly on Bashundhara Kings who secured the title for record fourth time in a row.
Last time the Federation Cup final featured a Dhaka Derby was back in 2009 when Mohammedan won 4-1 in penalty shootout after the 120-minute heated clash ended goalless.
Since then, the Black and Whites have been unable to reach the final of the competition until now, while the Sky Blues made it through five times, winning on four occasions in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022.
“We are eager to play a final after a long time. We all are excited. The target is to gift a beautiful game. The players are aggressive. They want to win a trophy,” Mohammedan head coach Alfaz Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune.
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Alfaz, the former star national striker, played for Mohammedan for seven years and also turned out for Abahani for a season during his illustrious playing career.
Abahani's Portuguese head coach Mario Lemos said, “It will be a tough match against a very good team. Derby are always special games, we have to be at our best. Hopefully, the stadium will be full to have a great atmosphere.”
Mohammedan have not beaten Abahani in their last eight meetings but the Motijheel-based club's former national forward and current manager Imtiaz Ahmed Nakib is confident this time around.
Mohammedan players warm up during a practice session Abahani's former national midfielder and current manager Satyajit Das Rupu said the final will be a battle of prestige for both clubs.
He added, “Football is a game of goals. Whoever shows the best skills in scoring will win it. Our team is ready to play and win the title. Hopefully, they can achieve the feat.”
