With a slew of talented new signings, Global Cebu looks poised to mount a serious challenge in both the Philippines Football League and in the AFC Cup starting Feb. 10.
The Cebu-based side acquired former Meralco Manila players Lee Jeong-min, a defender from Korea, Curt Dizon, Daniel Gadia and Jinggoy Valmayor and Ilocos United striker Chima Uzoka as it looks to fill the void left by captain Misagh Bahadoran, who signed a lucrative deal with Perak in the Malaysian Super League.
The excitement is palpable within the Global side as the club also welcomed a new owner in Alvin Carranza, who takes over from Dan Palami, who has opted to focus on his duties as chair of the national teams’ committee of the Philippine Football Federation.
Carranza, a long time supporter of grassroots football as managing director of the Teen Azkals Foundation, Inc., has elevated Marjo Allado back as head coach, after Akbar Nawas handled the team in the second half of the season last year.
“I think the club is in good hands with Alvin (Carranza) at the helm,” said Palami.
While Dennis Villanueva and Amani Aguinaldo also moved to Davao Aguilas and Ceres Negros, respectively, Global has kept several key players in goalkeeper Patrick Deyto, Rufo Sanchez, Daryl Roberts and Wesley Dos Santos.
Global attracted the biggest crowd in the PFL last season when 5,300 fans showed up for their clash against Visayas rival, Ceres-Negros, at Cebu City Sports Center.
Having already established a strong connection with the Cebuano crowd, Global hopes it could make another deep run in the AFC Cup, while giving Ceres a run for its PFL crown.