Two years ago, Anisur Rahman Zico was the toast of South Asian football. Now? Well, after some tough moments both on and off the field, a lot of people are starting to ask the same question: is it time to bring Zico back?
You can’t forget what he did at the 2023 SAFF Championship. That tournament was different. Lebanon and Kuwait were there, both ranked well above the rest. Bangladesh ended up facing Kuwait in the semi-final. It stayed goalless through regular time. Only in extra time did Kuwait manage to score.
And throughout that match, Zico held firm. He made save after save. And it wasn’t like he had a lot of protection in front of him. Bangladesh didn’t have someone like Hamza Chowdhury sitting in defensive midfield, breaking up attacks. Zico had to do more than just his part.
People noticed, he earned praise from all over. He was selected as the tournament’s best goalkeeper, surpassing peers from Lebanon, Kuwait, India, Maldives, Nepal and Pakistan.
At that point, Zico was valued as Bangladesh’s most expensive player, with an estimated market value of 25 million taka.
A turning point
Then came the incident that changed everything.
During an AFC Cup trip to the Maldives with Bashundhara Kings, a disciplinary issue occurred on the return journey. It led to sanctions against five players, including Zico. The others were Topu Barman, Taidul Alam, Sabuj Sheikh, Morsalin and Rimon Hossain.
Both the club and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) imposed penalties. The players were also dropped from the national team.
Most served their punishment and eventually returned. But for Zico, the situation proved more complicated.
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When he came back, he was no longer the first-choice goalkeeper. In last year’s World Cup qualifier against Palestine, Mithun Marma started in goal. When Marma got injured, many expected Zico would replace him. Instead, Shrabon was chosen.
At Bashundhara Kings, Zico also lost his spot in the regular starting lineup. His form dipped. Mentally, he struggled.
Time for a second chance?
Now, there is growing debate. Should the BFF take steps to reintegrate Zico?
And the thing is, you look back — 29 matches with the national team. That experience? It still counts. A lot.
Mithun Marma remains a capable goalkeeper. He made key saves against Bhutan and Singapore. But questions persist about certain weaknesses in his game.
Bringing Zico back could add depth and competition in a critical position.
Some wonder why coach Javier Cabrera has not yet reconsidered Zico. The disciplinary matter, they argue, belongs in the past.
Zico’s 2023 SAFF performance remains fresh in memory. If properly prepared and supported, he could again be a valuable asset for Bangladesh.
Looking ahead
Zico still has time. His talent is not in question.
“We’ll see,” one observer said. “Let’s hope Zico comes back stronger. Maybe even surpass the form we saw at SAFF.”
Whether that happens will depend on decisions in the coming months. But for many, the message is clear: a goalkeeper of Zico’s ability shouldn’t be overlooked forever.
