Rafayel Tudu, a former goalkeeper turned forward, is striving to establish himself as a regular starter and secure Bangladesh’s coveted number nine role. The 25-year-old Fortis FC striker has made a notable impact in limited playing time this season, scoring in consecutive AFC Challenge League matches after coming off the bench. He has totaled two goals and an assist in three Bangladesh Football League (BFL) appearances, all as a substitute.

Rafayel’s recent performances have drawn attention. After entering the match in the 91st minute against Al Qadsia, he scored late in the 78th minute of the following game against FC Goa to level the score, although Fortis ultimately lost 2-1. He then contributed a goal after coming on at halftime against Regar-TadAZ, helping Fortis secure their first win in the competition’s main stage.

“I do not want to remain a substitute throughout my career. I want to play in the starting XI,” Rafayel said in a phone interview from his village home. He traces his journey from goalkeeper to forward back to his early days training at Rajshahi Kishore Football Academy around 2018. After moving to Dhaka to join Victoria Sporting Club in the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) during the 2020-21 season, Rafayel found himself low in the goalkeeper hierarchy, limiting his opportunities.

Returning to Rajshahi, he began playing as a striker in local tournaments, eventually convincing his coach to switch him permanently to the forward position after scoring against the academy side. This change proved successful during the 2023-24 season with Fakirerpool, where Rafayel scored four goals in one match against Uttara FC and finished as the BCL’s top scorer and best player. Fakirerpool won the league title and earned promotion to the BFL. Rafayel later transferred to Mohammedan before joining Fortis, where he faces a higher level of competition.

Assessing his game, Rafayel highlighted strengths in positioning, finishing, and one-on-one situations but acknowledged room for improvement in his first touch and ball control. Despite his progress, he expressed disappointment at being excluded from Bangladesh’s preliminary squad for the SAFF Championship. A national team call-up would have made him only the third player from the Santal community to represent the senior men's team. Nonetheless, Rafayel remains focused on his development and supports the national team.

Looking ahead, Rafayel hopes not only to claim a starting role at his club but to become the centre-forward Bangladesh has long sought. “I believe Bangladesh need a proper centre-forward, and I want to fill that gap,” he said. “If I get an opportunity on merit, I want to help end the country’s goal-scoring problems.”