Bangladesh’s next generation of footballers will get a rare taste of Latin American competition as the AFB Latin-Bangla Super Cup begins on Friday at the National Stadium. The opening match, kicking off at 7:00 PM, pits Sao Bernardo FC of Brazil against host side Red Green Future Star – setting the stage for an invaluable learning experience for the country’s young talents.

Red Green Future Star, built primarily around U-17 national players and supplemented by four expatriates, enter the tournament with development rather than results as the central objective. Head coach Imrul Kayes said the opportunity to face a Brazilian side was itself a major step forward.

“We don’t know much about the Brazilian team, but this is a fantastic opportunity for our players to experience Latin football,” he said.

Key player Bitoshok Chakma echoed the sentiment, adding: “The match won’t be easy, but we will give our best and try to deliver a good performance.”

São Bernardo, known for their quick transitions and technical flair, have arrived with ambition. Coach Leonardo praised Bangladeshi supporters and underlined his team’s intent.

“We came here to showcase our skills and win the title. Matches against Bangladesh won’t be easy either,” he said.

Goalkeeper Daniel added that the Brazilian team expects a competitive opener and is prepared for a tough contest.

The tournament’s most anticipated clash will take place on 11 December when Club Atlético Colón face São Bernardo FC at the National Stadium. Adding star power to the occasion, Brazilian World Cup winner Cafu and Argentine legend Claudio Caniggia will be in the stands, drawing major attention and providing inspiration for all teams involved.