K-Electric upbeat ahead of AFC Cup play-off

KARACHI: K-Electric organised an interactive and promotional activity for its team here at its headquarters in a bid to energise the players ahead of their assignment in Bahrain.

The team was warmly welcomed by a large number of employees. The activity featured different captivating segments.

The team was praised for becoming the national champions and for clearing the first hurdle of the AFC Cup play-off qualifiers.

K-Electric take on Bahrain’s Al-Hidd in Manama on February 9 in their play-off.

The team is set to depart for Bahrain on February 7.

KE’s Chief Marketing and Communication Officer Fakhar Ahmed and KE Sports Head Taha Siddiqui were also present on the occasion.

The organisers said they were proud of their team’s achievements both at home and abroad and hoped it would also put in its best in the play-off in Bahrain.

Fakhar appreciated his team’s achivements and hoped it would extend its hundred percent in the coming assignment.

He said that the whole KE management was backing its football team.

KE last season emerged as champions of the Premier League for the first time.

The team then got successfully through the play-off qualifiers in Bhutan to set up the play-off date against Al-Hidd, which is coached by former Pakistan coach Salman Sharida.

K-Electric’s two Nigerian players, Oludeyi Abayomi Sunday and Wilson Segun, were also present.

Skipper Mohammad Essa said KE were the first team from Karachi that won the Premier League. “KE is the first department of Pakistan to have brought in foreign players,” said Essa, a former Pakistan captain.

He said he was confident that his side would also win the play-off in Bahrain.

Talking to ‘The News’, Essa said the induction of a few experienced players had boosted his team’s chances. “Induction of Mehmood Khan and Saddam Hussain will benefit us in Bahrain,” Essa said.

“Dawood, another recent induction, could also be used when we need him,” the skipper said.

KE coach Hasan Baloch also seemed confident about his team’s chances. “Bahrain’s clubs are good but we also have formed a balanced side and I hope the team will spring surprise,” said Hasan, an AFC Licence A coach.

The major induction which KE made ahead of the key game is of former KRL player Saddam Hussain.

Saddam recently signed a contract with the club after completing his four-month stint with Bahrain’s Isa Town FC.

Saddam told this correspondent that he was happy to be part of K-Electric. “I am really happy to have joined KE and I hope we will win the game,” Saddam said.

“I have closely watched Al-Hidd during my stay in Bahrain. It is a balanced club but if every player of our side puts in his hundred percent we can produce desired result,” Saddam said.

Oludeyi Sunday, who has played for KE in two Premier League seasons, said they had good chance of a win. “Honestly speaking we have developed a great side and it will click,” the nimble-footed striker said.

Wilson said all the players were motivated and he hoped the team would deliver. “No doubt Al-Hidd are a balanced combination but being hosts and a better side the pressure would certainly be on them and that could benefit us,” he said.

Wilson and Sunday depart for Bahrain on Wednesday (today) because their visas expire today.

They will be joined by Nigerian defender Okpala Mike in Bahrain.

Former Pakistan coach Mohammad Shamlan will arrange accommodation for the Nigerians before they are joined by their teammates on February 7.

Okpala, who plays for Rivers United in Nigeria, is also a recent induction. “We will see him in practice session how good Okpala is,” Hasan Baloch said. If KE beat Al-Hidd they will move into the group stage of the continent’s second-tier slots.