Ex-Umbelebele’s Diabate is Bangladesh League’s Best

By Chris Dlamini

Do you remember the name, Souleymane Diabate?

In case you do not, he is the Malian forward who took local football by storm over a decade ago when he donned the Skom Boyz, Umbelebele Cosmos’s kit in the top flight. Diabate was a fast-paced goalscoring machine with a golden first touch.

During his time in Eswatini, he wreaked havoc on many a defender and opposition teams.

Due to his talent, he did not last more than a season before Jomo Sono snatched him to Jomo Cosmos where he also did not spend long before an overseas deal. As it turns out, he has spent the last three seasons dazzling them in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

He played for last season’s league champions Mohammedan.

News broke on Sunday that the ex-Inkiliva (Umbelebele) star was crowned the BPL’s Player of the Season for 2024/25. It was confirmed by Bangladesh media platform, newage.bd.net/print that Diabate, along with his team coach Alfaz Ahmed who was named Best Coach, received the gong.

This was after the Challenge Cup draw which pitted Diabate’s team against Federation Cup champions Kings. The match is scheduled for the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on September 19.

“Later after the draw, five individuals and one club received awards for their mark in the previous edition of the BPL and BCL in the ceremony.

“Mohammedan coach Alfaz Ahmed received the BPL’s Best Coach Award, while his team’s Malian forward, Souleymane Diabate, received the Player of the League Award,” reported newage.bd.net/print on Sunday, September 13.

It has to be mentioned that Diabate could be on his way out of the league champions due to its financial struggles.