Eleta Kingsley marked his return to Bangladesh football with a goal, but saw defending champions Bashundhara Kings celebrate their 100th Bangladesh Premier League match with a 7-1 win against his new club, Brothers Unions, on Saturday.

Failure to become a regular in the Bangladesh national team and then Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) clubs snubbing the Bangladesh forward for the upcoming 2023-24 season has left Eleta Kingsley's career hanging in the balance in the country's football. 

Spanish coach Javier Cabrera yesterday vowed to take Bangladesh to the semifinals of the upcoming SAFF Championship after surprisingly dropping striker Eleta Kingsley and in-form forward Sazzad Hossain as he announced his final 23-member squad for the regional football extravaganza, set to begin from June 21 in Bengaluru.

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera on Friday left out Eleta Kingsley and in-form forward Sazzad Hossain from the 23-member squad for this month’s SAFF Championship. 

Talking to a media on Wednesday, Diabate said, “I would be happy to play for Bangladesh.”

Ahead of the matches first of two FIFA friendlies against Seychelles, Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan feels the need for having naturalised Nigerian footballer Eleta Kingsley in the squad as the 33-year-old forward is counting hours to make his debut for Bangladesh.