Excitement Builds as Nepal Prepare to Battle Premier League Talent Hamza

Nepal’s footballers are buzzing with excitement as they prepare to face Bangladesh’s high-profile midfielder Hamza Chowdhury, a player with English Premier League experience. For the first time, Nepal will take on a team featuring such a renowned name, and the anticipation within their camp is sky-high.

Eight players in the current Nepal squad have played in Bangladesh’s domestic league this season, including their captain Kiran Chemjong, who currently represents Bangladesh Police FC. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on Tuesday night, Chemjong said:

“We wanted to see Hamza in Kathmandu back in September, but he didn’t travel then. Now, we finally get the chance to play against him. Our entire team is excited and motivated.”

The much-anticipated FIFA international friendly kicks off tonight at 8 PM at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka. Nepal’s coach Hari Khadka, who previously played six to seven years in Bangladesh’s domestic football scene for Brothers Union, also expressed his excitement:

“Matches between Nepal and Bangladesh are always competitive. With Hamza and Shamit joining, Bangladesh look stronger. But football is a team game, and we’re fully prepared.”

Bangladesh last defeated Nepal exactly five years ago — on 13 November 2020. Their most recent meeting in Kathmandu ended in a draw. Tonight’s fixture serves as a key warm-up before Bangladesh face India on 18 November in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Coach Javier Cabrera plans to test 17 players in this match to finalise his line-up ahead of the India clash. However, fan interest seems lower this time — tickets for the India match sold out in just six minutes, but nearly half of the tickets for the Nepal game remain unsold. The Bangladesh Football Federation has even enlisted captain Jamal Bhuyan for promotional efforts.

Addressing the media, Jamal said:

“A win against Nepal would give us the confidence we need before facing India. This match is crucial for our preparation.”

Coach Cabrera, who has faced recent criticism, kept his focus steady:

“I’m aware of the criticism, but I don’t want to get into debates. My focus is entirely on the match.”

Shamit Som arrived from Canada two nights ago and may feature, while Sheikh Morsalin is still recovering from injury.

For Bangladesh, tonight’s match is more than a friendly — it’s a test of form, strategy, and confidence before the all-important India encounter.

Match Overview – Bangladesh vs Nepal