Bangladesh’s head coach, Javier Cabrera, has commended the strong leadership qualities present in his team, emphasizing the diverse group of players capable of leading both on and off the field. In recent games, Cabrera has rotated the captaincy between experienced center-back Topu Barman and midfielder Sohel Rana. Due to the reduced role of long-time captain Jamal Bhuyan and Topu’s fitness concerns, Sohel was entrusted with the captain’s armband during the recent Asian Cup Qualifier against Hong Kong in Dhaka.
However, after Bangladesh lost the lead and fell behind 2-1, Sohel was substituted early in the second half, leading to Jamal inheriting the captaincy upon his substitution. During a training session in Hong Kong before the return leg on Tuesday, Cabrera discussed the team’s shared leadership and the approach to rotating the captaincy.
Cabrera expressed gratitude for having captains like Jamal, Topu, and Sohel, highlighting Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury as another key leader within the team. Hamza, who made his debut against India in March, has consistently played full matches in all four games, showcasing his impact with two goals and significant contributions in both offensive and defensive play.
Former national team captain Aminul Haque has suggested that Hamza should be considered for the captaincy due to his on-field influence, a sentiment echoed by fans on social media. When questioned about the potential captaincy for Hamza, Cabrera tactfully acknowledged Hamza’s leadership qualities, describing him as a guiding force for his teammates both during matches and beyond.