Nepal Captain Chemjong's Stark Warning Before Malaysia Clash
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The pre-match press conference for Nepal’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Malaysia was not a standard affair; it was an urgent plea.
Captain and goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong, the most-capped player in Nepal's history, used the international spotlight to deliver a stark warning, declaring that the country's football is at a "big crisis" due to the two-and-a-half-year shutdown of its domestic league.
Chemjong, alongside interim head coach Hari Khadka, minced no words, stating that the political gridlock paralyzing the sport has left players without competitive match fitness, without salaries, and without a fair system for national team selection.
The Silent Crisis Off the Pitch
"For the past two and a half years without a league, it’s been really hard," Chemjong told reporters. "Every player is disappointed. We're suffering because of that."
The absence of regular, high-level domestic competition critically undermines Nepal’s ability to compete on the continental stage, an issue the veteran goalkeeper believes will continue until the league resumes. While officials have suggested a possible restart in January, the damage from the sustained delay, which has severely hurt individual careers and national competitiveness, is already done.
Focus Amidst the Turmoil
Despite the deep-seated domestic issues, the Gorkhalis expressed determination to produce a competitive performance against a formidable Harimau Malaya side at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Chemjong, whose team lost 2-0 in the first leg in March, vowed his squad would not repeat past errors, particularly in defensive set-pieces.
"We respect everyone, but in the end, we have to be ready," the captain affirmed. "We've prepared well not to repeat those mistakes."
New interim coach Hari Khadka, a former Nepal international, has only had a short time to prepare the team following the sudden resignation of former coach Matt Ross. Khadka has relied on a recent friendly against Bangladesh to fine-tune his starting XI.
Chemjong also downplayed the impact of the recent FIFA suspension of seven of Malaysia’s ‘heritage’ players, warning that Nepal cannot afford to underestimate the hosts.
"Malaysia have many good local players. Even without their heritage players, we must respect them and be fully prepared. They are a strong side and they play in a quality league here," he said.
With four consecutive losses in the qualifiers, Nepal is desperate to secure their first points, but the press conference was ultimately a powerful reminder that their greatest challenge lies not with the opponent on the pitch, but with the crisis crippling their sport at home.