Captain: Nepal football at breaking point due to league shutdown

Big crisis: Nepal interim coach Hari Khadka (left) with captain Kiran Chemjong during the press conference.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Nepal’s two-and-a-half-year domestic league shutdown has become the central crisis overshadowing the national team’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Malaysia.

Despite the struggles, captain and goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong hopes his team would give a better showing against the hosts at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today after losing 0-2 in the first Group F game in March.

"In the last match against Malaysia, where we lost 0-2, we fought well, but we made mistakes, especially in the set-piece situation," said Kiran.

"We've prepared well not to repeat those mistakes.

 

"We respect everyone, but in the end, we have to be ready."

 

Kiran expressed his disappointment over the political gridlock that continued to paralyse Nepali football and wished the situation would get better.

 

"For the past two and a half years without a league, it’s been really hard," he said during pre-match press conference.

 

The 35-year-old, who is the highest-capped player for Nepal with 107 caps, said the absence of a functioning league has left players without competitive matches, salaries, or a fair selection system, an issue that has hurt both individual careers and the national squad’s overall competitiveness.

 

"Without playing, without salaries, it is difficult to select players based on current form. "Every player is disappointed. We’re suffering because of that."

 

While officials have indicated the league could restart in January, Kiran described the delay as discouraging and damaging, noting that Nepal’s ability to compete against stronger Asian sides is directly tied to regular domestic competition.

"We need to play on the field, and we’re not getting that," he said.

"Without the league, it's hard for us to compete against big teams, and it affects us."

The lack of structure has forced several national team players to seek opportunities abroad, including Kiran.

Eight members of the current squad are playing in Bangladesh, with Kiran plying his trade for Bangladesh Police.

Some other players are based in India, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Indonesia, moves Chemjong says have helped maintain form, but cannot replace a stable home league.

Kiran said the squad had benefited from at least one meaningful friendly before the qualifier.

"We played against Bangladesh - a great match individually and collectively," he said.

"At least we played one friendly, so we know our strengths and our positive and negative points. We’re well prepared."

Malaysia, who skipped friendly fixtures, remain a strong opponent, strengthened by mixed-heritage players and a robust domestic league.