Since their inception in 2013, Bashundhara Kings have risen from a new club to a dominant force in Bangladeshi football. Within 12 years, they have won the Bangladesh Premier League five times in six years, but their ambitions go far beyond domestic dominance.
The Kings are determined to establish themselves as a continental powerhouse, representing Bangladesh regularly in top Asian competitions.
The turning point came in 2018 when the club appointed Oscar Bruzon as their first overseas coach and signed Costa Rican World Cup star Daniel Colindres — a landmark achievement in Bangladesh football. Since then, the Kings have consistently participated in AFC competitions, including the Champions League qualifiers, AFC Cup, and the newly introduced AFC Challenge League.
Their campaigns have been marked by both challenges and significant victories, such as defeating Indian Super League giant Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the AFC Cup.
Most recently, they defeated Syrian club Al-Karamah by a solitary goal in the qualifying round of AFC Challenge League, reaffirming their continental ambitions.
“We feel very good. Last year we finished third in the league, undeservingly. If Mohammedan had not messed up, we wouldn’t have got the opportunity to play. We then took on a strong team (Al-Karamah) that played in the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup finals. I think this is a great achievement for Bashundhara Kings and Bangladesh football overall,” club captain Topu Barman told Daily Sun regarding the victory against the Syrian side.
He added, “Kings proved our consistency as a big club through this win. I express gratitude to the players; everyone’s hard work was essential. We scored early and defended successfully for almost 93 minutes — that was due to team defending.”
The Kings’ rise has been fueled by a strategic blend of foreign and local talent. Colindres brought vision, technical skill, and leadership to the midfield, while Brazilian winger Robson Robinho added pace, creativity, and scoring threat. Other impactful players, like Argentine striker Hernán Barcos, Brazilian forward Dorielton, and Lebanese attacker Mohamad Jalal Kdouh, strengthened the squad.
Naturalised Bangladeshi Tariq Kazi, with European experience, has been a key defensive asset, and young talents like English-born Cuba Mitchell illustrate the club’s commitment to nurturing players with Bangladeshi heritage.
Local talent remains central to the Kings’ success. Skipper Topu Barman has been pivotal in both club and national team defence, often paired with Bishwanath Ghosh at the back. Up front, Rakib Hossain’s pace and goal-scoring prowess, along with the versatility of Saad and Taj Uddin, reflect the quality and training that the Kings provide — a model that benefits Bangladesh football as a whole.
Topu, who has been with the club for six years and now leads as captain, shared his vision: “I want to take the team to an elite level, particularly in the AFC Champions League. This is very challenging, but we have the right management and a strong squad. Clubs like Ronaldo’s Al Nassr compete in AFC Cup competitions, and we now have the opportunity to face top teams if we maintain consistency.”
He emphasised the club’s recognition beyond Bangladesh: “No matter where we played — Maldives, India, Qatar, or Sharjah — people knew our team, followed us, and liked our style of play. That is something we can truly be proud of.”
Topu also praised the management: “The club has done a tremendous job. We have won all local trophies and secured the league title five consecutive times. Credit goes to President Imrul Hassan for his vision, planning, and love for football. The Bashundhara Group has always supported the players and kept faith in them and also structured the club professionally. The recruitment of foreign players, like Hernán Barcos and Daniel Colindres, was excellent. All these achievements are due to the careful planning and consistent dedication of Imrul sir.”
From reaching the AFC Cup group stages multiple times, finishing second in 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2023-24, to qualifying for the AFC Challenge League group stages and defeating Al-Karamah in 2025-26, Bashundhara Kings have shown they can consistently perform at the continental level.
Each milestone demonstrates their growth from a domestic giant to a club that can compete with Asia’s best — and they aim even higher.
With a solid local core, strategic foreign signings, and strong management, Bashundhara Kings are no longer just a national powerhouse; they are on their way to becoming a true continental footballing giant.
Writer: Rubaid Iftekhar, Dhaka
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