Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings became the first and lone club of the country to have the license for AFC Champions League (ACL) from Asian Football Confederation.

AFC published a list of ACL license holding clubs on Thursday. Kings are going to be the first team in Bangladesh to compete in the top-tier club football competition ACL 2023-24.

They are expecting to play against Uzbek club FC AGMK Olmaliq or UAE Pro League outfit Sharjah Football Club in qualifying play-offs (preliminary round) on August 15.

Apart from the ACL license, Kings also renewed their AFC Cup license for the upcoming edition 2023-2024, AFC confirmed on the same day. 

The Bangladeshi giants will directly compete in the group stage (South Zone) of AFC against Indian outfit Odisha Football Club, Maldivian outfit Maziya Sports and Recreation Club and the qualifying play-offs winners between October to December.

Abahani Limited Dhaka are the other club from Bangladesh to have AFC license along with Kings. The Dhanmondi outfit are likely to play in qualifying play-offs of AFC.

“Bashundhara Kings are the first and only club from Bangladesh to receive AFC Champions League 2023-2024 license from AFC without any observation and inspection,” said a Kings official.

“Total three clubs applied for it but Bashundhara Kings got the license.

Four clubs applied for AFC Cup 2023-2024. Among them, two clubs-- Bashundhara Kings and Abahani Limited-- received licenses,” he added.

BDST: 1809 HRS, JUNE 15, 2023
MSK