Maharjan to replace Koji as head coach: ANFA

Kathmandu / Aug. 22:The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) today appointed assistant-coach Bal Gopal Maharjan as acting head coach of the national football team for the upcoming SAFF Championship in Bangladesh.

Issuing a press statement today ANFA said an emergency meeting of its committee took a decision to this effect today.

“After Koji Gyotoku’s visa issue, Maharjan has been appointed as head coach, so as to prepare the national team for the upcoming SAFF Suzuki Cup in Bangladesh slated for September 04,” according to ANFA Spokesperson Kiran Rai.

Earlier, the Department of Immigration had informed ANFA that Koji Gyotoku’s tourist visa has expired and would be prohibited from entering to Nepal till 2018.

According to the Immigration Department, Koji has been staying in Nepal on a tourist visa and working without a permit. As per the immigration laws, any person arriving in Nepal on a tourist visa is eligible to stay here for 150 days.

Maharjan will take the rein from Koji and assume responsibility as acting head coach from today, it said in the statement.