Sporting Bengal boss Gazi expects new challenge against Hackney

Bengal will host their east London neighbours at Mile End Stadium on Saturday (3pm) as they look to get themselves on a run.

Gazi’s men are unbeaten in three but under no illusions of the task against the Essex Senior League strugglers.

“It will be a different team to the one we beat 2-1 at the Old Spotted Dog earlier this season,” he said.

“We’re two similar sides who have young teams full of energy, so it should be a good match.”

Gazi believes Hackney will be boosted by the return of striker Hassan Nalbant, who left to join Clapton, but has returned in recent weeks.

And they will also be full of confidence after appointing a new manager in the form of former Brentwood Town boss Tony Levoli this week.

“They’ve got their old striker Hassan back and he’s scoring goals for them,” added Gazi.

“Also midfielder Ibrahim Camara is a good player, and obviously they’ve got the new manager in place and he comes with lots of experience.

“It will be his first league game in charge, but he has a cup game before to see what the team is about, and the players will all be keen to impress the new man.”

Sporting Bengal will go into the clash without a few of their regular first-team players due to other commitments, with Gazi adding: “Unfortunately we will have a few players missing on Saturday, but it’s about managing it and using all your squad players wisely.

“Anthony Murray-Bruce is on holiday, he came back on Monday (at Enfield), played 40 minutes and looked good.

“Freddy Tandon has come back in for the last two games, but he is away with work so we’re not sure he’ll be available for us, so there is no doubt we’ll be short.”

Gazi also heaped praise on Mostaker Hussain, who has broke into the first-team in recent weeks, and is expected to start this weekend.

“Mostaker has come in at centre-back, he was one of our community players, and he is doing extremely well. He has been a credit to himself and the club,” he said.