Sheikh Russel KC provided a fine farewell to Rajani Kanta Barman as they notched up a 2-0 win against Mohammedan in his final JB Bangladesh Premier League fixture at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Shakhawat Hossain Rony put Sheikh Russel ahead in the fourth minute before Jamal Bhuiyan converted a penalty four minutes from the break to ensure their sixth win, taking them to seventh position with 24 points. Meanwhile, with their eighth defeat from 20 matches, Mohammedan are in 10th position with 18 points.

Rajani, who captained the 2003 SAFF Championship winning squad, called time on his career at the age of 40 and symbolically donned the jersey number 40 throughout the first half in which he played as a right-back.

Rajani skipped the previous season but seems happy to retire from the field.

“I want to thank Sheikh Russel KC for providing me such an opportunity. I have got a lot from football and want to be involved with the country's football. My message to the new generation of footballers is to play for yourself, then you will develop and country's football will be benefited,” said Rajani, who has also been working as the physical trainer to Sheikh Russel.

Rajani began his career in 1994 for Agrani Bank in the then first division football league and later played for Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha Sangsad, Brothers Union, Abahani and Sheikh Russel. He also represented the national team from 1996 to 2013 as a centre-back.