Kathmandu, Dec 5: South Asian women’s football is set to witness a historic moment as the first-ever SAFF Women’s Club Championship begins today in Kathmandu. Five clubs from five South Asian nations will battle for the regional crown in the week-long tournament.
Representing their countries are Nepal APF Club (Nepal), East Bengal FC (India), Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh), Transport United Ladies FC (Bhutan), and Karachi City FC (Pakistan). Teams from Maldives and Sri Lanka are not participating in this edition.
The opening day will feature two exciting fixtures at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor. Karachi City FC will take on Transport United Ladies FC at 2 pm, followed by Nasrin Sports Academy will face hosts Nepal APF at 6 pm.
Host club APF aims to start the campaign strongly in front of the home crowd. The squad boasts a strong lineup dominated by national team players, many of whom recently featured in the Three Nations International Friendly in Thailand.
In goal, Anjana Rana Magar is joined by Sabitri Kishan and Lila Joshi. The defense has been further reinforced with the arrival of Bimala BK from Tribhuvan Army FC and Puja Rana from Nepal Police Club. The return of Geeta Rana from injury adds additional steel to the backline, supported by Hira Kumari Bhujel, Man Maya Damai, Nisha Thokar, Pratiksha Chaudhary, and Sajani Thokar.
The midfield remains one of the team’s biggest strengths with captain Anita Basnet leading the pack. She will be supported by Renuka Nagarkoti, Saru Limbu, Sabita Rana Magar — who returns after missing the Thailand tour due to injury — as well as Saraswati Hamal, Hima Rawat, and Roshni Bohora Chhetri. However, the team will miss the presence of dynamic midfielder Preeti Rai.
In the attacking department, APF has added young striker Meena Deuba from Nepal Police Club. She will join Anita KC, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Kusum Khatiwada, and Sobha Kumari Pradhan to spearhead APF’s hunt for goals.
With a strong squad and home advantage, APF enters the historic championship as one of the favorites to lift the title.
