Kolkata: In the upcoming season in an attempt to bolster their squad for the Calcutta Football League (CFL) East Bengal has already signed a bunch of good footballers after a poor I-League season. Having signed two players from title-winning Aizawl FC and one from Goan club Churchill Brothers, the club has by now become the front-runners in terms of signing new players.
Two foreigners were released by the Kolkata giants this Friday morning, namely, Ivan Bukenya and Willis Plaza. Both the players had played good fractions in the attacking third for the club which finished third on the table in the last I-League season.
Ghanaian international striker, Murtala Seidu Bancey and Zambian defender Ziyo Tembo were sent by their agent Stephen Abarowei for consideration of the upcoming CFL season.
On being asked about the matter former East Bengal player Alvito D’Cunha told XtraTime,” Stephen has only sent their CV to the club but it doesn’t mean that we will sign them. He is spreading a rumor that the players are coming to East Bengal but it is totally a hype which is created by him.”
Alvito was furious about replying about Zambian defender Ziyo Tembo.” I don’t even know anything about Tembo,” said the former footballer.
Alvito also added, he has studied Murtala’s CV in which he had just featured in 3 matches in Tunisia.” I have studied Murtala’s CV. He has played just for 36 minutes in 3 matches in a Tunisian Club. We have received other player’s bio-data from other agents too. You have to understand East Bengal is a big club and the players who plays here are very good players too. We will study each profile thoroughly and the decide who will come for next season.”
The right-footed striker, Seidu Bancey who stranded his deal for ES Zarzis in Tunisia is known to be good in link-up play and is commanding against slow defenders.
Ziyo Tambo is a centre-back who last played for Zanaco FC, a club based in Zambia. He has played four games in the CAF Champions League this season, keeping a clean sheet thrice.
The multi-talented defender Lalramchullova, winger Brandon Vanlalremdika and Richard Costa have already been signed by East Bengal. The Red and Gold have also promoted various youngsters from their academy for the forthcoming tournament, a shift which otherwise would’ve looked good but with these signings already on, it will be fascinating to see whether these players get time on the pitch. The Red & Gold Brigade have also signed Aizawl’s last season’s best mid-fielder Mahmoud Al Amnah.