Despite being guided to a joint-third position at the end of the first phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Sheikh Jamal's management decided to replace Spanish coach Juan Manuel Martinez with the familiar face of Nigerian coach Joseph Afusi, who once led the Dhanmondi club to two BPL titles and one Federation Cup. 39-year-old Afusi shared his past experiences and goals for the second phase of the league with The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman. The excerpts are below:

The Daily Star (DS): How do you feel after returning to a familiar team?

Joseph Afusi (JA): I feel good. It is not easy to be away for such a long time. Covid-19 also played a part in it. I enjoyed my time with my family, so it is good to come back to work and do what I have to do. Let's see what happens.

DS: Sheikh Jamal wanted to appoint you at the start of the season but you were perhaps incommunicado?

JA: When they contacted me last September, I was busy with a project in Nigeria. I have my own team playing in the fourth division in Nigeria, so I was screening the players and doing selection. Besides, I was in a remote area where internet can be a problem.

DS: Sheikh Jamal are five points off leaders Bashundhara Kings. Is it possible to finish at the top of the Bangladesh Premier League with 11 matches to go?

JA: That is my wish. That is the goal, that is the target. I always want to win. I had training with the players yesterday [Tuesday] and today [Wednesday]. I think Sheikh Jamal have quality young players and I am going to work with them and set a target. Five points are not too much but Bashundhara Kings are a good team, Abahani are a good team. We are equal on 21 points with Chittagong Abahani. Everybody wants to win. Look at Bashundhara, they have good players but that is not a problem for me because I want to think about my team. If I want to win all of our matches, that is possible.

DS: You led Sheikh Jamal to the league title twice. Can you compare those squads to the current one?

JA: I wouldn't like to compare present players with the past players because I don't want to distract the players I have. I believe the players I have are good enough to go for the championship. The players I had previously were good enough to go for the championship. My concentration is to work with this bunch of the players and transfer my philosophy to them and win matches.

DS: Sheikh Jamal is going to replace two injured foreign players -- Chinedu Mathew and Suleyman Sillah -- with two Nigerians who are now training with the team. How are they?

JA: It is a big challenge because it was the second season for Sillah and the fourth season for Chinedu in Bangladesh. They had already understood the league, but the Nigerian duo are new in Bangladesh. It is a very crucial and difficult time to make changes. I don't think the management is changing them because they want to make changes. They are changing because of injuries and because they need to be replaced. Now, we will count on the new players and believe they can rise to the challenge.

DS: You were relieved of your duties from Sheikh Jamal in the middle of the league previously. How does it feel to be removed mid-way through a season as a coach?

JA: The decision is always made by management and coaches have to understand that our job is about being hired and fired. You have to be ready for both. When the time comes, if you are hired, you have to do your job. If you are fired, you have to wait for the next job. If you have a dangerous contract and don't produce results and the management is not happy, you can get fired within two months. Sometimes you are giving results but the management is not happy with one or two things and you can also get fired. I am used to it. I have no problem.

DS: You have seen a lot of Bangladesh football after your involvement with Sheikh Jamal since the 2011-12 season. What changes have you seen in the past decade?

JA: I think there has been a lot of improvement in terms of infrastructure, in terms of players' understanding and in terms of game situations. The clubs are bringing in more quality, and are developing. New clubs are coming up. There is a lot of financing. A new stadium was constructed by Bashundhara. Now there are a lot of challenges. It used to be one or two teams in the race but it is now a six-team race. So, Bangladesh football is improving.

DS: But Bangladesh are not doing well at the international level, whether it is the national team or club teams. What do they lack?

JA: Sometimes, it is the belief in yourself, believing that you can do it can break the barrier. You have to lose the concept that a team is from Bangladesh so there is no problem if they win or lose. I think they have to change this mentality. I believe the players, especially the young ones coming up, are ready to take on challenges.