Marzuki Nasir
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FC are hopeful to feature their new foreign recruits in the Super League season opener against Malacca United FC at the Hang Jebat Stadium on Saturday.
However, the chances are slim on all four to be involved in the first game according to team manager Marzuki Nasir, although he assured that the club would do their utmost best to make it possible.
As of yesterday, only one of the foreign signings arrived here and another in Kuala Lumpur while the other two are currently making their way to the country, said Marzuki without revealing the players’ identities.
“Those who have arrived are currently undergoing quarantine and that the club is waiting for an approved release from KKM (Ministry of Health Malaysia) and MKN (National Security Council),” he said when contacted on Wednesday.
Previously Sabah FC announced Gabon international midfielder Levy Clement Madinda, Liberian striker Sam Johnson, North Macedonian defender Risto Mitrevski and Indonesian international winger Saddil Ramdani as the new foreign players.
The other foreign import is South Korean central defender Park Tae Su who has been retained from last season and as thing stands, remains the only confirmed starter for Sabah on Saturday.
“In fact we have done the contract talks much earlier but due to the (Covid-19) pandemic, things became complicated in processing the documentation.
“So for the first game, it is very likely that they (the four new foreign imports) will not be involved but we have our fingers crossed…we are still hopeful,” he added.
Having said that, Marzuki believed head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto has made the best possible preparation with the existing squad to face Malacca United.
“The preparation has been good and from what we have seen during the pre-season (matches), it has been very positive.
“The team played three full pre-season matches in just six days…it was very tiring but at the same time, they were able to play in proper matches and applied the tacticals required by the coach.
“The players are all very determined to go and play in the season opener,” said Marzuki.
The Rhinos are scheduled to travel tomorrow where after the Malacca United tie, they will stay on for the second league fixtures against Kedah at the Darul Aman Stadium on March 9.
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