Former Indian international and ex-coach of East Bengal Club and current youth head coach Shyam Thapa has taken charge of the national team for up-coming extravaganza, the AFC Challenge Cup.
Shyam Thapa was pleased to get a call from ANFA President Ganesh Thapa to hand over the job of “boss” when he was enjoying his vacation in Kolkata. But, the news was expected, as everybody had assumed that Shyam Thapa would be given the reins.
“I am very happy to accept the challenge,” Shyam Thapa told SoccerAgeNepal. “I know, we must work hard to get good results and I am confident my boys will do that,” he added.
In the meantime, ANFA has published the names of probable layers that will start their first round training session after finishing the “A” Division League. The players that were the part of Nepalese team in the SAFF Championship 2005 stood as it is except Upendra Man Singh, while seven new players have received a call from ANFA.
Ritesh Thapa (goalkeeper)
Bikash Malla (goalkeeper)
Rakesh Shrestha
Tashi Gurung
Anjan K.C
Janak Singh
Nabin Neupane
Lok Bandu Gurung
Sagar Thapa
Pralaya Rajbhandari
Bijaya Gurung
Vishan Gauchan
Hari Khadka
Pradeep Maharjan
Rajesh Shahi
Raju Tamang
Surendra Tamang
Ramesh Budhathoki
Basanta Thapa (ANFA is planning to call Basanta again to play for the AFC Challenge Cup but the final confirmation hasn’t been made)
The other players called by ANFA are:
Sandeep Rai
Jumanu Rai
Santosh Shahukhala
Anil Gurung
Man Sajan Rajbhandari
Sangeet Rajak
Yougal Kishor Rai
Surendra Lal Shrestha
Sanjeev Budhathoki
Ram Kumar Biswash