Dhaka, March 23 (bdnews24.com) - Former Bangladesh international Imtiaz Ahmed Nakib bids bye to his passion and profession--football-- Saturday through the B. League encounter between the favourite foes -- Mohammedan Sporting Club and Abahani Limited -- at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
This will bring 18 years of his chequered career in football to a close.
"I feel bad to end my football career, but it is high time I went on retirement, and that too, through a big match," Nakib, the Mohammedan captain, told the press on the eve of his farewell match.
"I should make rooms for the young guns. Football gave me a lot, even Mohammedan has honoured me giving the captaincy arm-band this year," said the veteran striker, who joined the popular black and white outfit in 1989 from the pioneer league team's Badda Jagarani Chakra.
The tall striker, well known for his trade mark header, played for Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra for five years from 1995 to 1999, and then returned to his old club Mohammedan to play till this time.
"I saw many well-known booters could not retire from football with an announcement, and I don't want to spoil this opportunity," said the attacking footballer adding that he was inspired by the retirement scene of legendary footballer Salahuddin while he was at his peak.
A school boy then, Nakib saw Salahuddin's farewell match sitting in the gallery.
He said the club officials strongly requested him not to quit, but he was determined to go on retirement. Mohammedan scored two goals in three B. League matches and he netted one of them against Sheikh Russel KC.
Nakib represented Bangladesh in the international football from 1990 to 1999, and struck five to six goals, and netted overall 35 to 40 goals in the international matches he played for different Dhaka clubs.
Besides, the veteran struck 107 goals in Dhaka league in his 18-year career and scored another 45 to 50 goals in different tournaments.
Reflecting on the remarkable events of his career, Nakib highlighted a hattrick he had made against Abahani in 2000 season.
Mohammedan coach Safiqul Islam Manik, who was Nakib's teammate, said that he would feel the absence of Nakib in the coming matches, and was not sure whether the vacuum could be fulfilled, ever.
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