K-Electric hire midfielders Mehmood, Dawood

KARACHI: K-Electric have recruited two midfielders, Mehmood and Dawood Khan, ahead of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup play-off against Bahrain’s prominent club Al-Hidd next month in Bahrain.

The two brothers had been playing for Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

Mehmood, an experienced international, is regarded as a fine midfielder. His younger brother is also technically a strong player.

‘The News’ learnt through team sources that both the players have been issued contract letters. Both the brothers, Mehmood in particular, will receive substantial salaries.

A source said that the presence of the Kenyan defender Akpaulo would also be ensured. “His induction in the side has almost been finalised,” a team source said.

K-Electric also have the services of two Nigerians, Oludeyi Sunday and Wilson Segun. Both already have valid Pakistan visas.

Meanwhile, sources said that K-Electric have sent documents to the AFC which the continental body had asked from them regarding the transfer of Shani Abbasi and Irfan Khan, two England-based Pakistani players.

The sources said that there was no need of International Transfer Certificate (ITC) for the duo for playing for K-Electric in the AFC Cup play-off qualifiers in Bhutan last year because they did not have affiliation with those clubs in England which both had claimed to have attached in their bio-data.

“The issue will be resolved,” a team source said.

K-Electric kick-started their preparation here at People’s Sports Complex on January 1.

However, a team official said that the camp would be shifted to Steel Town on January 20 where eight out-stationed players would join.

“The Nigerians will also join us in the camp,” the official said.

The documents of the squad have been forwarded to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for processing.

K-Electric are expected to fly out of Karachi for Bahrain on February 6 or 7. They will face Al-Hidd on February 9. Former Pakistan coach Salman Sharida is the head coach of Al-Hidd.

In case of a win K-Electric will create history as they will move into the group stage of the continent’s second-tier slots.

K-Electric had cleared the first hurdle when they emerged as group winners in the play-off qualifiers in Bhutan early last year. Bhutan’s Druk United and Mongolia’s Khoromkhon Fc were the others in K-Electric’s group.