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As we bid farewell to the year 2024 and welcome 2025 with hope and excitement, it’s time to reflect on a year that was both inspiring and challenging for Nepali football. From remarkable achievements in women’s football to lessons learned in the men's game, 2024 has left an indelible mark.
Nepali Women’s Football: A Year to Remember
WAFF Women’s Championship 2024
The year began with an outstanding performance by the Nepali women’s team in the WAFF Women’s Championship. Invited as a guest team, Nepal made a strong impression, finishing as runners-up. Despite a valiant effort, Nepal lost to the four-time champions Jordan in a nail-biting penalty shootout in the final. This marked yet another near miss for Nepal, extending their 38-year quest for an international trophy.
Historic Achievements by Individual Players
Sabitra Bhandari "Samba"
Sabitra Bhandari etched her name in history as the first Nepali footballer to play in a European league. Signed by the French top-tier D1 Arkema club, EA Guingamp Féminine, she opened doors for future players to step onto the European stage.
Anjila Subba
Following in Samba’s footsteps, Anjila Subba joined Nees Atromitou in the European circuit for the 2024/25 season, marking another milestone for Nepali women’s football.
Rekha Paudel
Rekha Paudel’s rise was equally remarkable. She became the only Nepali player to score in Asia’s top-tier competition, the AFC Women’s Champions League. Her crucial goal against Al Nassr Abu Dhabi Sports Country Club propelled her team to the knockout stage.
SAFF Women’s Championship
Nepal reached another final in the SAFF Women’s Championship, only to lose to Bangladesh in the dying minutes, courtesy of a stunning goal by Rituporna Chakma. However, a historic semifinal victory against India in a controversial penalty shootout added to the year’s highlights.
Challenges and Opportunities in Men’s Football
A Mixed Bag of Performances
The men’s football team struggled to find consistent form in 2024. Despite a commendable 2-2 draw against Yemen in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, the team’s overall performance was underwhelming, with one win, one draw, and four losses in six matches. On average, Nepal conceded 18 goals with only 4 goals. Key players like Gilepsy Jung Karki (two goals) and Rohit Chand (one goal) showed promise, but others, including Anjan Bista, remained silent.
Milestones and Redemption
Kiran Chemjong: The men’s team captain celebrated his 100th cap in a match against Tajikistan.
Rohit Chand: After a decade, Chand redeemed himself by scoring against Afghanistan, a team he had missed penalties against in 2013.
Infrastructure Woes
The deteriorating condition of Dasharath Stadium had severe repercussions. Nepal was unable to secure AFC and FIFA certification for home matches, forcing them to play in Saudi Arabia. The stadium’s condition also drew criticism during the AFC Challenge League match between Church Boys United and Bhutanese side Paro FC, with Japanese legend Keisuke Honda highlighting the poor state of the field.
Domestic Football in Limbo
Domestic leagues continued to face challenges, with no A Division League or Nepal Super League for two consecutive years. However, NSL Season 3 is scheduled to kick off in March 2025, bringing hope for a revival.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
Women’s Football on the Global Stage
The Nepali women’s team is set to compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. With the momentum from 2024, they aim to achieve historic milestones.
AFC Asian Cup Third Round Qualifiers
The men’s team will participate in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, providing an opportunity to redeem their standing in international football.
Hopes for Domestic and International Success
With the planned return of domestic leagues and improved infrastructure, 2025 promises to be a year of revival and progress for Nepali football. Fans hope for not just participation but victories that bring pride and inspiration.
The year 2024 was a tale of two halves—glorious achievements in women’s football and challenges in the men’s game. As we step into 2025, let’s carry forward the lessons learned and the hope for a brighter future in Nepali football. Here’s to more milestones, trophies, and moments of pride!