East Bengal’s Ugandan defender Ivan Bukenya arrives in city

Semboi Haokip joins East Bengal practice

Semboi
East Bengal’s new signing Semboi Haokip joins practice on Wednesday. Image Source: XtraTime

Kolkata: East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan will now breathe a shy of relief as key players Semboi Haokip and Ivan Bukenya arrived in the city. The former joined the team’s practice session at Central Park. Ivan Bukenya, who was facing problems with his visa has finally arrived in the city today from Uganda. Morgan expressed his disappointment yesterday about the non-availability of all his players during practice ahead of the I League opener against Aizwal FC on January 07 at the Barasat Stadium.

The gaffer was unable to strike a game-plan with his strikers. But since Haokip’s contract with Kerala Blasters was till December 31, so he couldn’t join the practice with Red and Golds. It goes to be seen whether Morgan will play him along VP Suher in the first match, with Wedson Anselme playing as a withdrawal forward.

Ugandan defender Ivan Bukenya also arrived in the city today via Dubai at the Kolkata Airport after a 14 hour long journey.The defender seemed pretty tired due to the jet lag and also with the fact that he had to wait long to complete all the necessary formalities. The former Kaizer Chiefs defender didn’t wish to talk to the media waiting at the airport. Initially Bukenya was facing visa problem which was the main reason for his late arrival to play for East Bengal.

Earlier, when he came to sign for East Bengal, he was with a tourist visa. But according to new rule of AIFF, a foreign player is not allowed to play with a tourist visa and as a result he had to return to his country. This time he arrived with a business visa to stay for the full I-league season.

On his way to his residence, the Uganadan defender met Coach Trevor Morgan. He will be practicing with the team tomorrow.

Meanwhile, noted Director Shoojit Sircar was seen trying his football skills with East Bengal goalkeeper Sandip Nandy. The director of Piku loves football like a common Bengali and is an ardent Mohun Bagan fan.