Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited is a Bangladeshi professional football club based in Dhaka. Founded in 1936, it is one of the oldest and the most successful football club in the country, with a support base in all parts of the country. The club currently competes in the Bangladesh Football League.
History
The club began in Hazaribagh. Members of the famed Nawab family of Dhaka wanted to establish a local club for the youth. As a result, Muslim Sports Club came into being in 1927. Nine years later, with Khwaja Ajmal as its president, it was renamed Mohammedan Sporting Club, after its more renowned predecessor the Kolkata Mohammedan.How good were Mohammedan Sporting Club back in the 1980s? The Business Standard News. Retrieved 1 September 2021Nawab Family of Dhaka Banglapedia. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
Though it was established to create enthusiasm for sports amongst the local Muslim community, the club later broke the race, class and ethnicity barriers and became a crowd favorite.
In the late 1940s, MSC started to flourish with Mohammad Shahjahan at the helm. Shahjahan left Kolkata Mohammedan and came to Bangladesh after the partition of India. The 1950s was a time when Dhaka Wanderers were the top dog in the sporting arena. In 1956, some of their star players and senior officials joined MSC and started restructuring the club. The results were evident as MSC secured their first league title in 1957. The same year they won the Independence Cup, thus ensuring their domestic double. The trophies kept coming over the next two decades.
Before independence, Mohammedan also clinched the First Division title in the year of 1959, '61, '63, '66 and '69. It was not easy to find success against teams like Dhaka Wanderers and Victoria SC. Yet, Mohammedan did not yield to failure, they pursued their way. Mohammedan won the Aga Khan Gold Cup for the first time in 1959. They repeated the feat twice, in 1964 and 1968.
On 11 May 1972, Mohammedan played against Indian club Mohun Bagan under captaincy of Zakaria Pintoo, which was the first visit of a foreign team in independent Bangladesh. Dhaka Abahani adds a new dimension to domestic football in the post-independent era. And it begins a new rivalry involving Dhaka Abahani and Dhaka Mohammedan termed Dhaka Derby which took no time to spread the passion and madness throughout the country. Abahani won the league in 1974 and 1977 but the decade, however, belonged to Mohammedan as they got the better of their hardcore rival to win the league in 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1980.
They were unbeaten in the first division league from 8 September 1985 to 15 March 1990. They played 76 league games during those one thousand six hundred and fifty days winning 63 of them and drawing 13 times. They scored 160 and conceded 24 goals. The Black and Whites took the league title three times in a row from 1986 to 1988. They continued their success in the next decade by winning titles in 1993, 1996 & 1999. Mohammedan last won the league in 2002, yet despite the intervening years, they still hold the record for the most league titles in Bangladesh with 19 wins. In the 2024-25 season, Mohammedan finally broke their 22-year league title drought by winning the BPL, securing their first BPL title and their 20th first-tier title overall.
Mohammedan won the Federation Cup eleven times, beating Abahani seven times in the final. They won their last Federation Cup title back in 2023. Mohammedan also won the most expensive domestic football tournament of the country, Super Cup twice by taking the inaugural edition in 2009 and then the one in 2013. Their record attendance for a football game is nearly 45,000 which took place in 2009.
They had their touch on Independence Cup title three times in 1972, 1991 and 2014 with being runners up in 1990 and 2023.
Dhaka Mohammedan was the most dominating force in continental competitions among Bangladeshi clubs as well. They made it to the Asian Club Championship (the then Asian Champions League) semi-final round in 1988 thus becoming the first-ever Bangladeshi club to do so. They participated in this tournament a record six times making it to the finals thrice, a record yet to be matched by any South Asian club.
Rivalries
Dhaka Derby
The Dhaka Derby is a football rivalry between Abahani and Dhaka Mohammedan, although the rivalry was bigger in the past. Dhaka Mohammedan and Dhaka Abahani first met each other during 1973 First Division League. Before Abahani's arrival, Mohammedan were the most dominant force in the country, and overthrew their previous rivals Dhaka Wanderers Club, by becoming the team with most league titles won.
Dhaka Wanderers
Prior independence, the club's main local rival was Dhaka Wanderers. The rivalry dates back to 1956 when Mohammedan acquired numerous players from Dhaka Wanderers, who had left due to internal conflicts within their club. Despite this, Wanderers were crowned champions that year. Both clubs were tied on points, and Mohammedan's refusal to play a playoff final resulted in the league title being awarded to Wanderers. Following their final First Division title in 1960, the rest of the decade saw Mohammedan's dominance. Notably, Wanderers lost the All-Pakistan Mohammad Ali Bogra Memorial Tournament final in 1966, contested by the two Dhaka-based teams in Rawalpindi.
Supporters
The Black & White Warriors
The fanbase of Dhaka Mohammedan SC is organized into various supporter groups, most notably MSC Ultras also known as Mohammedan Ultras officially The Black & White Warriors , the ultras group of Dhaka Mohammedan. MSC Ultras play a key role in organizing events and creating a vibrant atmosphere during matches. This group often displays banners, leads chants, and creates coordinated displays, ensuring the team feels supported at every game.
Tribute to 'Ata Bhai'
At the final of Federation Cup 2025-26, Mohammedan Ultras gave tribute to Mohammad Ataur Rahman, popularly known as 'Ata Bhai' by showing a record breaking 50*30 feet TIFO and honoured his contribution to the club as well as to the wider football community of Bangladesh.
The group has also participated in social activities like Free Palestine Campaign.
Crest and colours
Stadium
From the 2019–2020 season the club started playing their matches at the 18,000 capacity Bhasha Shoinik Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium. On 7 March 2020, Mohammedan Sporting Club hogging the spotlight with a 1–0 win over defending champions Bashundhara Kings in their home debut.
Currently the club is using Bhasha Shoinik Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium as its home venue.
Shirt sponsors PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor 2005 None Tibet 2008 None Fresh Cement 2009–10 None NTV 2011–17 None Orion Group 2018–19 Cosco K–Sports2020–2021 Orion Group 2022 Sports Apparel Design Fresh Drinking Water 2022–2023 Max Group 2023–2024 Wings Sportswear Max Group 2024–2025
Current squad
Personnel
Current technical staff
RoleName Head coach Abdul Kayum Sentu Team leader Ameril Islam Babu Goalkeeping coach Sayeed Hassan KananTeam Manager Imtiaz Ahmed NakibAssistant manager Sayed Mohammad Abdul Kahhar Siddique Physiotherapist Md Nurul IslamMasseur Md Ubadullah Md Arman Hosen
Board of directors .
RoleName President Md Abdul Mubeen Director in charge Kazi Firoz Rashid Chairman Ghulam Mohammed Alamgir Head of Technical Committee Imtiaz Sultan JohnnyTechnical Committee Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu Rumman Bin Wali Sabbir Elias Hossain Jasimuddin Ahmed Joshi Fazlur Rahman Babul
Coaching records Managerial history
Amanuddin Chowdhury (1972–1973) Ashraf Chowdhury (1975–1976) Zakaria Pintoo (1977) Ashraf Chowdhury (1978–1979) Golam Sarwar Tipu (1980–1984) Enayetur Rahman (1985) Ali Imam (1986) Pratap Shankar Hazra (1987) Nasser Hejazi (1987–1992) Mohammed Kaikobad (1992) Yulkin Ivanovich (1993) Golam Sarwar Tipu (1994) Abu Yusuf (1995) Kadiri Ikhana (1995) Abu Yusuf (1995, interim) Kang Man-young (1996, interim) Samir Shaker (1997–1998) Abul Hossain (1998, interim) Hasanuzzaman Bablu (1999–2000) Pakir Ali (2001) Abul Hossain (2001–2004) Kang Man-young (2004–2005) Saiful Bari Titu and Mohammed Ponir (2005, interim) Jasimuddin Ahmed Joshi (2005) Shafiqul Islam Manik (2005–2008) Maruful Haque (2008–2010) Mohammed Ponir (2010, interim) Shafiqul Islam Manik (2010–2011) Emeka Ezeugo (2011–2012) Saiful Bari Titu (2012–2013) Rui Capela (2013–2014) Alfaz Ahmed (2014, interim) Mohammed Jewel Rana (2014, interim) Jasimuddin Ahmed Joshi (2014–2016) Mizanur Rahman Dawn (2016, interim) Abdul Qaium Sentu (2017) Syed Nayeemuddin (2017) Rashed Ahmed Pappu (2017–2018) Christopher Evans (2018–2019) Ali Asgar Nasir (2019, interim) Shahidul Islam Jewel (2019, interim) Sean Lane (2019–2022) Shafiqul Islam Manik (2022–2023) Alfaz Ahmed (2023–2026) Abdul Qaium Sentu (2026, interim) Fernando Santiago Varela (2026-Present)
Managerial statistics
Head coachNat.FromToPWDLGSGA%WMaruful HaqueJuly 200813 May 2010Rui Capela31 December 2013July 2014Alfaz Ahmed^May 2014May 2014Mohammed Jewel Rana^May 2014June 2014Jasimuddin Ahmed Joshi24 November 20147 October 2016Mizanur Rahman Dawn^14 October 201629 December 2016Abdul Qaium Sentu10 January 201724 February 2017Syed NayeemuddinNayeemuddin wants to revive MSC The Daily Star. Retrieved 25 August 20219 May 201731 October 2017Rashed Ahmed Pappu^November 2017February 2018Christopher Evans19 September 20183 January 2019Ali Asgar Nasir^3 January 201916 February 2019Shahidul Islam Jewel^18 February 20194 March 2019Sean Lane4 April 201928 May 2022Shafiqul Islam Manik5 June 202224 February 2023Alfaz Ahmed25 February 202310 April 2026Abdul Qaium Sentu^11 April 202630 May 2026Fernando Santiago Varela10 August 2026Present
Season by season record
Professional league (2007–present) Record as Bangladesh Premier League memberSeasonDivision LeagueFederation CupIndependence CupAsian club competitionTop league scorer(s)PlayerGoals2007B.LeagueRunners-up201172401340 ——— Paul Nwakuchu 142008/09B.LeagueRunners-up201352421244Champions Alamu Bukola Olaken 182009/10B.LeagueRunners-up24 1950631262Champions Zahid Hasan Ameli 192010BPL 6th22 868262630 Group Stage Semi-finals Sunday Chizoba 122011/12BPL 3rd20 974332134 Group Stage — Bazden Wilcox 72012/13BPL 5th16 745171725 Semi-finals Semi-finals Osei Morrison 122013/14BPL 4th27 1296362545 Quarter-finals Champions Wahed Ahmed 152014/15BPL 3rd20 1154381738 Semi-finals — Ismael Bangoura 172015/16BPL 10th22 3118202920 Group Stage Group Stage Tawhidul Alam Sabuz 82017/18BPL 5th22 958312632 Quarter-finals Group Stage Nkwocha Kingsley Chigozie 132018/19BPL 9th24 6711314025 Group Stage Group Stage Souleymane Diabate 82019/20BPLAbandonedSemi-finals— Ugochukwu Obi Moneke 32020/21BPL 6th24 1275362543Quarter-finals Souleymane Diabate 132021/22BPL 5th22895392633Semi-finalsGroup Stage Souleymane Diabate 212022/23BPL 4th20 956382132ChampionQuarter-finals Souleymane Diabate 162023/24BPL Runners-up18 981401735Runners-upRunners-up Souleymane Diabate 17 ChampionsRunners-upThird placePromotedRelegated
Honours
TypeCompetitionsTitlesSeasonsDomestic Bangladesh Football League1 2024–25 Dhaka First Division/Premier Division League19 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988–89, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002Bangladesh - List of Champions: Dhaka League Rsssf. Retrieved 12 August 2021 National League2 2001–02, 2005–06Federation Cup11 1980*, 1981, 1982*, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2022–23Independence Cup3 1972, 1991, 2014Super Cup2 2009, 2013Independence Day Tournament6 1958, 1960, 1961*, 1963*, 1965, 1966*DMFA Cup3 1984*, 1993, 1995
Invitational Ma-O-Moni Gold Cup Winners (1): 1990 All-Pakistan Mohammad Ali Bogra Memorial Tournament Winners (1): 1966 Runners-up (1): 1967 All Airlines Gold Cup Winners (1): 1999 Ashis-Jabbar Shield Tournament Winners (1): 1982 Bordoloi Trophy Runners-up (1): 1989 J.C. Guha Memorial Trophy