Pointing down at the worn-out artificial turf of the ANFA Complex after scoring against Planning Boyz United in the 69th minute on Tuesday, Fode Fofana said, “This is my ground.”

Planning Boyz were leading 2-1 against Satdobato Youth Club when Fofana scored the equaliser with a header. He then did the ‘shush’ celebration as he walked past the bench of Planning Boyz.

Planning Boyz, however, made a quick comeback. Ten minutes later, their star player and skipper Fagu Ram Tharu shushed SYC, also through a header, bringing his club back on the lead.

Subbed in at 74th minutes after Shyamu Murmu was injured, Tharu went on to score another one, extending the lead to 4-2 at the 83rd minute. Tharu capitalised on a rebound from the post after a shot by Pratap Singh Rai.

Planning Boyz are playing in the National League as an A-Division club, a feat they achieved for the first time since their establishment in 2012. Tharu was the highest scorer of the second-tier with 15 goals as Planning Boyz got promoted to the top-flight as the champions of the Martyr’s Memorial ‘B’ Division League in May 2025.

“Tharu is a key player for us,” said Sanjeet Singh, head coach of Planning Boyz, during the post-match press conference. “He has returned from an injury, and the physio has given the green light. He is fit now.”

Tharu was not in Planning Boyz’s squad in their first two matches of the National League against Nepal Police FC and Tribhuvan Army FC. He marked his comeback when he entered the ground as a substitute during the 0-2 loss against Machhindra FC on January 24.

Planning Boyz had expected Tharu, who was subbed in at the 77th minute, to turn the tide against Machhindra after conceding the second goal in the 74th minute. While Tharu could not do much then, he showcased his abilities on Tuesday.

“Planning played better than us today,” Bal Gopal Sahu, head coach of Satdobato Youth Club, admitted after the loss. “We were doing well until the first half. But in the second half, we were disorganised and conceded due to defensive lapses.”

Sahu also clarified that his team did not have a strong bench. “And if we are to continue playing like today, we cannot challenge for the title,” he added.

Satdobato led with a goal by Uzbekistan’s Bobirshoh Sobirov in the 21st minute. Planning Boyz then equalised with a goal from Alex Willane in the seventh minute of the nine-minute added time in the first half. Roman Bhujel gave Planning the lead in the 63rd minute with a screamer from outside the 18-yard box before Fofana’s equaliser.

Goalless draw between Laligurans and Army

Laligurans Association Club, dubbed the ‘underdogs’ of the league, were on a high with three consecutive wins before entering the ANFA Complex ground.

Laligurans had also defeated Nepal Police FC, one of the three departmental clubs, which boosted their morale before the fixture against Tribhuvan Army FC on Tuesday.

“However, we were aware of the abilities of Army, a well-organised team with an upper hand in physicality,” said Kiran Shrestha, head coach of Laligurans. “But one thing was clear for us: We will not lose points. We will either win or draw.”

And Shrestha was satisfied as his team managed a goalless draw with Army and got a point that helped them stay at the top of the points table with 10 points from four games.

On the other hand, Army were not satisfied.

“We lost two points today,” said Bal Gopal Maharjan, Army’s head coach. “We did not play to the best of our abilities.”

But Maharjan did not only blame the team’s gameplay. “We were also a victim of the sudden amendments in the fixture,” he said. “We found out about the change in venue on Monday morning.”

The ANFA had made changes to the fixtures and published the amended fixture on Sunday afternoon.

As per the previous fixture, Army and Laligurans were to play their match at Chyasal Stadium. Similarly, Planning and Satdobato were to play on Monday at ANFA Complex.

“We were prepared to play on the natural turf of Chyasal Stadium,” Maharjan said. “But we were surprised with a change in venue with no time left to prepare.”

Further, Maharjan also argued that the artificial turf of ANFA Complex was past expiry and completely unfit for matches of this level.

‘ANFA Complex’s ground is unfit’

Maharjan argued that the team needs to prepare differently for an artificial and a natural ground. “While we were preparing for the match, thinking of Chyasal Stadium, which has a natural turf, the change did not help us,” he said.

According to the ANFA, the change in the fixture was a result of complaints about Chyasal Stadium. APF FC’s head coach Rajendra Tamang had also said that Chyasal was unfit for matches after a 4-1 win over Church Boys United on January 22.

“There is no grass on the ground of Chyasal, which has increased the risks of injuries,” ANFA’s Competition Director Sanjib Mishra told the Post. “There are now no games at Chyasal Stadium, and the fixtures have been amended to manage the matches at the remaining two venues—ANFA Complex and Dasharath Stadium.”

Meanwhile, Maharjan stressed that even the ANFA Complex ground was unfit.

“I was there when the artificial turf was prepared at the ANFA Complex in 2014,” he said. “As per the criteria, it should be used only five hours a day with the turf getting at least a day’s rest every week.”

“But the ground is being used for up to 10 hours a day without any rest and repair,” Maharjan said. “The turf is worn out, and past its expiry. Players are getting bruised while falling, and the ball bounces and turns unpredictably. A bad ground guarantees a bad game.”