Alfaz Ahmed, the man with golden boots of Bangladesh football decided to call it quits completing his 28 year career in the high profile Grameenphone Bangladesh Premier League match between Dhaka Mohammedan and Abahani Ltd at the Bangabandhu National stadium on Monday April 8.Since hitting the stardom back in 1995 Alfaz has played for both the teams in his illustrious career but Mohammedan rules the year and he opted to retire for his favorite black and white jersey. The club also honored him as he wore the number 10 jersey and also the armband of the captain.
Alfaz hit the headlines as a talented footballer with Ershad Cup in 1985 and made his mark through the Pioneer Football, Second Division and First Division.
Alfaz made his premier league debut with Arambagh in 1994, and eventually in 1995 entered the stardom when Mohammedan signed the prolific marksman.
In the SAARC Football of 1995 Alfaz made his way through the national team and never looked back. He was an integral part of the national team till 2008.
Alfaz became a complete player under Korean coach Man Young Kan who guided both the Bangladesh national team and Mohammedan also. His speed, vision and skills made him an instant hit in the local football arena.
Alfaz left Mohammedan in 2002 and joined Muktijoddha Sangsad. The wily forward then played for all the big teams like Abahani, Sheikh Russell, Brothers Union, Team BJMC over the next eight years before returning to his beloved Black and Whites.
The club has also decided to give him the ideal send-off by naming him as a life-time member of the club and organising a dinner at the club on Sunday.
Hundreds of admirers gathered at the sideline to provide the veteran forward a heroic see-off. Alfaz was substituted in the 19th minute and was showered with flowers, garlands.
BFF vice president Kazi Nabil Ahmed, former national skipper and BFF vice president Arif Khan Joy, former national players Jashimuddin Ahmed Joshi, Jakir Hossain were present among the audience.
“I always tried to put Bangladesh up with my sincere efforts, I don’t know what I have achieved, I will continue to be a part of the football as I have entered Pledge Harbour as a technical director and will shift my focus to full time coaching in the future.
I thank Mohammedan for providing me the opportunity. I hope Bangladesh football will regain its position in the near future” said Alfaz.
Special Achievements
* In August 1996 Alfaz was adjudged as the Asian Football Confederation player of the month.
* In 1999 SAFF Gold Cup at Goa, India he won back to back Player of the Match awards against Pakistan and Nepal, no Bangladeshi player possess this credit.
*He scored the winner for Bangladesh in the final of the 1999 SA Games and Bangladesh won their first ever football Gold in six final appearances.
* He is the last Bangladeshi star to play for foreign club as he played for MohunBagan in 2001 and he assisted Brazilian star Barreto to score the ha-trick against FC Kochin in the Indian National Football League.
(Source: Agencies)
