Abahani Dhaka coach Diego Cruciani briefs his players during a training session on Thursday. Photo from thedailystar.net

DHAKA: The inaugural Bangladesh Professional Football League will kick off at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with a match between Abahani Sporting Club and Muktijodha Sangsad on March 2.

One of the oldest football clubs in the country, Abahani was founded in 1972 and has won the national football league crown eight times and finished runners-up on as many occasions.

Abahani, who have also clinched the Federation Cup four times, have signed a raft of national team stars to gear up for the pro league besides bagging the signature of former Bangladesh coach Argentine Diego Cruciani.

Their foreign imports are three Argentine players - defender Marino Caporale, midfielder Mario Sanchez and striker Hector Hernando.

Cruciani said: “Abahani have put in a big effort this season by building a strong team and I will dedicate myself to serve their purpose. All my concentration would be to guide them to the title.”

Abahani’s rivals Muktijodha coach Mohammed Abu Yousuf would, however, be banking on local players to make an impression. “Our main target is to become the best team in the league. We treat local players as our strength,” said Yousuf.

Brothers Union, formed in 1949, will take on Chittagong Abahani in the second match on March 3. One of the title contenders, Brothers Union have appointed former India coach Syed Nayeemuddin as their head coach.

The Shafiqul Islam Manik-trained Mohammedan Sporting, who have won the league 15 times since their inception in 1933, face Arambagh on March 7 in the opening round and their coach believes the team has the firepower to achieve a good result this season.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has given the television telecast rights of the league to Channel i. The channel will telecast at least 40 matches live starting with the opener on March 2.

The BFF has already invited former national players for the opening ceremony. The first match will kick off at 5.50pm Bangladesh time and star singer Ayub Bachchu will entertain the crowd after the match.

In other first round matches, Khulna Abahani will lock horns against Rahmatganj on March 3 while Sheikh Russel will take on Chittagong Mohammedan on March 6.