Sweden-based midfielder Anika Rania Siddiqui has returned to the Bangladesh national women’s football camp in Dhaka with one goal in mind: a third consecutive SAFF Championship title.
The national women’s football team has already begun their training camp at the Korean EPZ in Chattogram under head coach Peter James Butler. Anika arrived in Dhaka on Sunday to join the camp.
Speaking through the Bangladesh Football Federation, Anika made clear she was not returning merely to participate.
“I feel really good to be back. We are preparing once again to win the SAFF Championship. The team has shown its quality in the past, and I hope we can achieve another strong result,” she said.
“I will try to give my best performance and do something for the country. As you all know, we have a chance to become champions for the third time in a row. I ask supporters to keep us in your prayers. We will give everything to win the title.”
Bangladesh have built a quiet dominance over women’s football in South Asia. They beat Nepal 3-1 in the 2022 final, then retained the title with a 2-1 victory in 2024. A third straight triumph would cement their status as the region’s standout force.
This year they have been drawn in Group B alongside hosts India and the Maldives. They open their campaign against the Maldives on 29 May before facing India on 31 May, a match that could define the group.
Anika made her senior international debut earlier this year in an AFC Women’s Asian Cup match against China.
