Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu (; born 9 December 1973) is a Bangladeshi professional football coach and former player.
Club career Mintu began his career playing in the Pioneer Football League and Dhaka Third Division League with Badda Jagoroni Sangsad. He initially joined the club through the recommendation of former Fifa referee, Monirul Islam. In 1990, he was signed by First Division outfit Shadharon Bima CSC and made his top-tier debut with them.
In 1994, he joined Abahani Limited Dhaka. Mintu played a pivotal role for Abahani during the club's triumphant 1994 Charms Cup campaign in India, scoring in a 2–0 victory over Kolkata Mohammedan in the final.
In 2008, he captained Badda Jagarani to a semi-finals finish in the Victory Day Football Tournament, where they beat eventual champions, Abahani Limited in the group-stages. He participated in the Senior Division with the club until his retirement in 2010.
International career Mintu's international career began with taking part in the 1992 AFC U-16 Championship in Saudi Arabia. He later played for the senior national team between 1998 and 2001. He was a member of the 1999 South Asian Games gold medal-winning squad. He scored against both India and Maldives during the 2000 Invitational Football Tournament in Maldives.
Coaching career In 2012, Mintu obtained both AFC C Diploma and AFC B Diploma on the recommendation of Iranian coach Ardeshir Pournemat Vodehi. In the same year, Mintu worked as an assistant coach at Abahani under Ardeshir. He was the head coach of Saif Sporting Club in 2021.
In March 2022, Mintu was appointed as the head coach of Sheikh Russel KC following the departure of Saiful Bari Titu. He guided the previously relegation-threatened team to a top-half league finish.
In June 2023, Mintu was appointed head coach of the Bangladesh U23 national team for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. In August 2023, Mintu obtained the AFC Pro-Diploma.
In January 2024, Mintu was appointed as head coach of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. In June 2024, he was appointed as head coach of Sheikh Russel KC before the club decided to withdraw from the 2024–25 Bangladesh Premier League, leaving Mintu without a club prior to the season.
Personal life Mintu was a student of Dhaka University. Unlike many others who decided to marginalise education, Mintu diligently finished his master's degree, while playing domestic football in the Dhaka. After retiring due to a serious injury in 2006, he went for further education taking the FIFA licence for coaching.
Career statistics
International BangladeshYearAppsGoals200032200160Total92
Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first. +List of international goals scored by Zulfiker Mahmud MintuNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1. 2 May 2000 Galolhu Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Malé, Maldives 1–0 1–1 MFF Golden Jubilee Tournament 2. 4 May 2000 1–0 1–1
Managerial statistics
TeamFromToPWDLGSGA%WChittagong Abahani (interim)21 September 201631 December 2016Chittagong Abahani4 January 20183 August 2019Saif SC (interim)26 February 20218 March 2021Saif SC 1 August 202114 September 2021Sheikh Russel KC14 March 202219 August 2023Bangladesh U2320 June 202312 September 2023Sheikh Jamal DC30 January 202430 May 2024
Honours Abahani Limited Dhaka Dhaka Premier Division League: 1994, 1995 DMFA Cup: 1994 Charms Cup: 1994 Federation Cup: 1999
Muktijoddha Sangsad KC Dhaka Premier Division League: 2000 Federation Cup: 2001
Bangladesh South Asian Games Gold medal: 1999
Individual Dhaka University Blue: 1999
References
External links