Also read: Saif Power Battery new BPL title sponsor
This was Abahani’s first win however, in the league’s opening match after two seasons. They drew against Chittagong Abahani Limited and Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in the last two seasons. One of Abahani’s two big foreign recruits this season, Emeka was vibrant from the very beginning of the game. Tall Gambian midfielder Landing Darboe started on the bench as Croatian head coach Drago Mamic continued to field his starting XI with veteran Ghanaian defender Samad Yussif and Emeka. Two U-19 youngsters in the shape of Saad Uddin and Tutul Hasan Badshah made their top-flight debut.
Abahani youngster Saad Uddin made his top-flight debut against Saif Sporting BFFSaif Sporting, who were formed only last year, brought in five national players from Abahani to make their top-flight debut this season, among which defenders Ariful Islam and Topu and Hemanta Vincent Biswas started the game, along with new signings, Colombian forwards Lordaba Escarpeta and Valencia Olaya.
The Dhanmondi giant went close to scoring four minutes after kick off when Emeka saw his effort from a goal-mouth scramble go wide.
Shahidul Alam Sohel then made a decent save to deny Saif Sporting’s first chance of the game, blocking Rahim Uddin’s header.
Emeka gave the Sky Blues the lead in the 21st minute with a precise header from a Waly Faisal cross following Rubel Miah’s short corner.
Emeka doubled the lead seven minutes later from a penalty after Saif Sporting defender Rahmat Miah brought down Saad inside the danger zone.Also read: Bangladesh Premier League logo, trophy unveiled
Emeka had another chance to clinch his hat-trick when the Nigerian failed to meet a cross of Sohel Rana from a yard away in the 42nd minute. Topu, the former Abahani defender, pulled one back moments before the first-half whistle with an opportunist header after Rayhan Hasan failed to clear a free-kick from Jamal Bhuiyan. Jewel came off the bench to equalise four minutes into the second half, heading home from the edge of the six-yard box, following a Rahim cross from the left side. Jewel replaced Hemanta immediately after resumption. Nasir put Abahani ahead again in the 84th minute heading home from the right side of the box after Rayhan’s long throw-in was headed back by Saif Sporting defender Rahmat.RESULTAbahani 3 (Emeka 21, 29 - P, Nasir 84) 2 Saif Sporting (Topu 45+3, Jewel 49)
