"When the twins were born, we were struggling to make ends meet. We could not even feed them properly and had to rely on rice powder. But my daughters were born as pearls in a poor household," recollected an emotional Ripru Mog, the proud father of Anai Mogini, after his daughter landed among the stars by striking the all-important goal that presented Bangladesh a memorable triumph for the ages.

Despite turning the final of the Under-19 Women's SAFF Championships against India into a blatant one-sided affair from the onset, Bangladesh still had to wait as far as the 80th minute to break the deserving deadlock. And as the people of the country kept their fingers crossed in anxious anticipation, it was  Anai Mogini, the defender from the Khagrachhari hills, who  intervened in time to elevate the whole country into the peak of euphoria.

"I relished every bit of the game. I can't describe the joy of seeing my daughter scoring that goal!" Ripru told The Daily Star's Khagrachhari correspondent Alakesh Chakma after his beloved daughter had become the darling of the nation.

Arm in the air, Anai Mogini celebrates with her teammates after creating history. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

When Anai had conjured a floater into the box from the right flank, time stood still as everyone held their breath but very few could have predicted what was to follow. However, the trajectory of the projectile seemed destined to go beyond the reach of India's goalkeeper, whose diving attempt to block Anai's magic from reaching the target went in vain. The writing was on the wall for the demoralised Indian side after that. Then the girls in red and green played out the remaining minutes in style to seal a historic victory that wonderfully coincided with Bangladesh's golden jubilee of independence, and that too on the victory month of December.

Ripru fondly reminisced the genesis of his daughters Anai and Anuching Mogini, who also featured for Bangladesh.

"It all began with Bangamata [football tournament] where they first played [competitive football] while studying at grade three in 2011. Later they played for Khagrachhari district team, after which they made the cut in the national team."

In 2018, Bangladesh became the group champion in the qualifying round of the AFC U-16 Women's Championships and entered the second round. Following the achievement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina invited the girls to Ganabhaban and awarded BDT 10 lacs to each member of the brilliant squad.

Thus, the once poverty-stricken family of Anai and Anuching, residents of Shaat Bhaiya Paara of Golabari Union of Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila, finally found the financial safety-net with the 20 lacs earned by the twin sisters and were able to buy land property among other necessities.

"With the blessings of all, we are well off now. Those struggling days are a distant past. Now we are happy," said Anai's father, filled with contentment.

Ripru and Apruna Mogini, the mother, seek good wishes towards their twinkling twins from the people of Bangladesh.

"Their mother, she lights the lamp in front of the Buddha [idol] and prays from dawn to dusk. When my daughters visit us on holiday, I will bless them for their growth and prosperity," Ripru said.

There are many heroes behind the scenes of this story and Birsen Chakma is one of them. Birsen is the headmaster of Boga Paara Government Primary School in Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati and is one of the chief architects behind the initiation of the emergence of the Mogini sisters.

Impressed by Anai and Anuching's skills when they first featured at the divisional level, Birsen talked to the headmaster of Shaat Bhaiya Paara Government Primary School and the parents of the Mogini sisters so that, arrangements were made for the admission to his school at Boga Paara where the talented duo could receive advanced training, which they did.

"I am thrilled to see Anai's achievement this time," said a proud Birsen.

Birsen informed that the two sisters were too young to stay away from their parents at that time, and that he had even arranged to bring their father along as well.

Following Anai's historic goal at the Birshrestha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka, the mood is all rainbow among the people of the picturesque Khagrachhari and elsewhere.

"We are very proud that people all over the country know about our neighbourhood because of Anai Mogini," said a delighted Kangsajai Marma, an NGO official from Shaat Bhaiya Paara.

Headmaster of Shaat Bhaiya Paara Government Primary School Nihar Ranjan Chakma could not have been more proud.

"We are very happy that our student Anai Mogini's only goal helped Bangladesh win this year's tournament.

"Anuching also plays great. Due to their stellar performance, our school had been able to clinch the title of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Gold Cup tournament at district level and became runners-up at divisional level in 2011. The two sisters fill us with pride," an overwhelmed Ranjan said.

Jewel Chakma, general secretary of the district's sports body echoed the same sentiments.

"Anai Mogini is the daughter of Khagrachhari. It is a matter of pride for us that her only goal has ensured the victory of Bangladesh in the U-19 SAFF tournament."

Jewel informed that his organisation would take initiatives to consult with the Bangladesh Football Federation so that Anai and company get the deserving reception fit for champions.

The champions pose with the trophy. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Ever since the glorious feat, the country's netizens have been buzzing in full swing, heaping praises for the uncut gems of Bangladesh football. A gift that keeps on giving, Anai and her indomitable band of sisters deserve every bit of it.  

Ripru dreams of seeing his daughters make it to the World Cup.  

"I want them to play and keep playing to their hearts' content. I have asked them to maintain their focus on playing well so that they can reach the World Cup stage."

Now the whole of Bangladesh shares the big dream of Anai's father, as the promises and evidence of potential should ideally set things in motion. Although it remains to be seen whether the awe-inspiring story of the Mogini's alongside their teammates' ones can trigger the necessary chain of events to culminate in an ultimate fairy-tale happy ending.  

* The article has been written with inputs from The Daily Star's Khagrachhari correspondent Alakesh Chakma and The Daily Star's sports journalist Sabbir Hossain.