KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah's campaign in the knockout stage of the AFC Cup is not shaping up well, as they are losing players and coaching staff.
The rumours are rife that the club will slash their budget for the 2024 season, and several players, including veteran attacker Amri Yahyah and defenders Rizal Ghazali and Irfan Zakaria, have confirmed that they are leaving the team.
Indonesian winger Saddil Ramdani also indicated he could leave based on his cryptic goodbye post on Instagram.
Ong Kim Swee's side finished third in the Super League for a second straight year, with 54 points from 26 matches.
The Rhinos have also qualified for the zonal semi-finals of the AFC Cup, which will resume next year.
Kim Swee on Instagram revealed that his long-serving coaching staff, Rastilav Bozik and Martin Stano, are also leaving Sabah.
"It has been a long and hard but eventful season at Sabah. Despite some challenges, we achieved third place in the Super League and advance to the knockout stage of the AFC Cup," said the former national team coach.
"As a coach, it is normal for people to come and go. And today, I would like to thank Amri, Rizal and Irfan Zakaria for their services.
"Not to forget my loyal assistant Rastilav Bozik and physical trainer Martin Stano, who have been loyal to the club.
"I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this unique season."
However, Sabah are expected to retain Brazilian striker Ramon Machado and centre-back Gabriel Peres, Portuguese midfielder Telmo Castanheira, Malaysian defender Dominic Tan, midfielder Stuart Wilkin and striker Darren Lok for the 2024 season.
The Rhinos will start the new season early as the AFC zonal zemi-finals are scheduled on Feb 12-13 and Feb 19-20.
The draw for the semi-finals will be done on Thursday.
For the record, KL City reached the AFC Cup final in 2022, while Johor Darul Ta'zim became the first Malaysian club to win the tournament in 2015.