Despite the ongoing wave of the third variant of COVID-19 in Nepal, two major sports of Nepal, football and cricket are being conducted.
The Nepali football team's players are waiting to play against Mauritius in Kathmandu. The friendly match is being played at Dasharath Stadium on Jan 29 and Feb 1. All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has stated that all preparations have been completed.
The Mauritius team arrived on Monday for a friendly match. Nepal's national team is currently training in a closed camp ahead of the match.
Despite growing fear of infection and declining temperatures, Nepali football fans are eagerly waiting to see the performance of the Nepali team in the upcoming two games.
ANFA has announced two teams for the two friendly matches against Mauritius.
In the wake of omicron's transition, ANFA has continued its football-related activities. Nepali football fans had the opportunity to watch a terrific match in the Martyrs' Memorial League football. This is a golden opportunity and could also be a career defining moment for the Nepali players in their game against Mauritius.
If they can prove their gameplay to be excellent, they will be able to secure a place in the national team.
Oman's coach, Abdullah Almutairi, who is a popular figure among Nepali football fans, has given opportunity to 34 players for the two games.
Nine players who got a place in the preliminary practice will also get a chance to play with a foreign team for the first time.
Similarly, Jagajit Shrestha, who has been in Australia for a long time, has also got a chance. With Bimal Gharti Magar pushing the ball forward, the chances of missing goals are minimum. He has scored goals for the nation in many international competitions. He also played in Europe as a professional player, but it took a long time. Bimal did not play in the national team for a while. But now, he has also got a chance to return to the national team after a long absence. If Bimal can do well this time, he will be able to join the team again.
The fact that the goalkeeper of Jawalakhel club got a chance in the national team for the first time is not a small achievement either. Shatrughan Chaudhary of Nepal Police Club is also getting an important opportunity for the first time. Tomorrow's game could be a beautiful opportunity for several players to enter the national team.
Only one-third of the spectators will be allowed in the stadium as per the health protocol issued by the government for friendly games. Furthermore, vaccinated people will be allowed in the stadium.
Tickets for the game are priced at Rs 1,000 for VIP Parapet and Rs 500 for Normal Parapet. Both games will be played at 4:45 pm on respective dates at Dasharath Stadium.
Earlier this year, the Nepali national team had played a friendly match with Bangladesh in Kathmandu too.
The players selected in both the Nepali national teams against Mauritius are the claimants of tomorrow's national team. Nepali spectators are waiting for them to take advantage of the opportunity to impress the coach.
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