KATHMANDU: Star striker Basanta Thapa, who had left for Japan a few months ago, arrived back today to take part in the SAFF Championship as per the request of ANFA.
“I missed all; Nepal, Nepalese football, fan and media,” Basanta Thapa said when asked. “I am back to score goals and I know my teammates will assist me in creating such chances,” Thapa said. “My current aim is to win the championship,” Thapa added.
Thapa had left for Japan to pursue his further education in October 2005 when he was the leading scorer in the Martyr’s Memorial A Division League with 17 goals in ten matches for Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC). Earlier, ANFA had succeeded in recalling retired Upendra Man Singh to handle the national side as a skipper.
The 2005 SAFF Championship, which will be held at the People’s Sports Complex in Karachi, has Nepal drawn in Group B along with two-time SAFF champions India, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The 2005 SAFF Championship kicks-off on December 7 with Maldives taking on Afghanistan at 15:00 local time followed by the opening ceremony and the hosts Pakistan against Sri Lanka. Nepal open their SAFF Championship campaign on December 8 against India.