PETALING JAYA: They say never mess with the Cops in the Super League.
That warning should be heeded by more teams in the new season as Police are set to unveil a brand new outfit with many fresh faces coming on board.
After silencing many critics with some arresting displays last season, Police are inspired to better their feats of last season, where they finished eighth in the Super League last year and won the Challenge Cup.
The Cops may have lost key players like Nigerian centreback James Okwuosa and Liberian playmaker Marcus Macauley in the ongoing transfer window, but the management have replaced them with several impressive imports.
Two confirmed signings are the Nigerians, centreback Faith Obilor and midfielder Chidi Osuchukwu.
It is also learnt that they are close to signing Nigerian hotshot Ifedayo Olusegun, who last played for Kedah and won the Super League Golden Boot in 2020 and 2021.
On the local front, Police have made a marquee signing in the form of striker Shahrel Fikri Md Fauzi, who was a force to be reckoned with during his time with Perak and PKNP.
Many were surprised that Shahrel, fondly known as Eky, had opted for Police as he was also a target of more glamorous sides like Kuala Lumpur and Perak.
“Police are always considered underdogs but they have quality, and can surprise many of the top sides. That’s something that excites me and I want to be part of it,’’ said the 29-year-old Shahrel.
“Most of the coaches in the team are policemen, and they bring something different to the team with their experience.’’
Apart from Shahrel, there is Christopher Keli, who rejoined the club after a season away from the game.
Police have also improved their goalkeeping department by signing Bryan See, who last played for Perak, Robson Rendy Rining from Penang and Asri Muhamad from Kedah.
Widening their wing options, the Cops have recruited Zuhair Aizat from Pahang and in the attacking third, they have snapped up playmakers Hidhir Idris from Kuching City and Shafizi Iqmal Khirudin from Perak.
In midfield, they have Eizrul Ashraf from M3 club Persada Integriti Bersatu (PIB) while Badrul Afendy Fadzli from Kuching City should make a fine centreback.
Changes could be afoot in the coaching department too, as it is learnt that Datuk Yunos Alif will not be leading the side this season and his replacement could be P. Maniam, who once coached sides like Selangor and Petaling Jaya City.
