Anjan Bista

Anjan Bista (; born 15 May 1998) is a Nepalese professional footballer who plays as a forward for New Road Team and the Nepal national team.

Club career During the 12th edition of the Aaha Rara Gold cup, playing for the ANFA Academy Bista scored the opening goal in the 17th minute to put his team 1–0 up against Nepal Police Club in Pokhara. However Ranjan Bista scored the equalizer in the 35th minute and the Police Club went on to win on a penalty shootout.

Nepal APF Bista joined Nepal APF for the upcoming 2015 Nepal National League. He scored his first goal for the club in the second round in a 4–1 win over Morang XI. Anjan's brother Ranjan Bista scored two goals in the same match.

Marbella United FC, Spain

On 28 March 2016, Bista scored the only goal to defeat Nijmegen Eendracht Combinatie U-19 Academy 1–0. Anjan Bista showed brilliant performance during a match against ASC 09 Dortmund.

Manang Marshyangdi In 2018, Anjan joined Manang Marshyangdi Club. In his first season, he scored five goals in the Pulsar Martyrs Memorial A Division League as the team won a record 8th league title. He was a member of the team that took part in the AFC Cup 2019 group stage.

In the 2019–20 Qatar Airways Memorial A Division League, Bista scored 6 goals in 8 appearances as the team finished third.

Church Boys United On December 28, 2013, Church Boys United announced the signing of Anjan Bista in a one-year deal.

Mumbai Kenkre On 21 January 2023, it was announced that Bista was sent on loan for remaining matches to Indian I-League club Mumbai Kenkre, as Mumbai Kenkre FC was in verge of getting relegated.

Jhapa FC On 26 February 2023, Jhapa FC, one of the three new teams of the franchise-based Nepal Super League football tournament, recruited winger Anjan Bista as their marquee player for the second edition of Nepal Super League.

Fortis On 8 March 2024, it was told that Bista joined Bangladesh Premier League club Fortis. However, he was sidelined for a couple of weeks when playing for Nepal in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round. Eventually, the Bangladeshi club terminated his contract as he was set to miss most of the remaining matches of that season.

Brothers Union In 2025, he joined Brothers Union for the 2025–26 Bangladesh Football League.

International career

U-17 career During the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification Bista scored in a 2–0 victory over Bahrain, ending a six-year-long winning drought for the Nepali u-17 side. In the next game Bista scored the equalizing goal as Nepal came from 2–0 down to tie Iraq 2–2. Playing in the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship Bista started as Nepal scored a late equalizer to tie the match 1–1 against defending champions Uzbekistan. Bista was excellent in the next game against Kuwait, it was his early pressure that forced an own goal in the third minute, as well as it was Bista who was fouled in the box for the captain Bimal Magar to score the winning penalty.

U-20 career In preparation for the 2015 SAFF U-19 Championship and the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship qualification campaign, Bista played in several friendlies in which he scored a hat trick against a senior Nepal Army Club earning a 4–2 victory. On the second match of the 2015 SAFF U-19 Championship, Bista converted a crucial penalty kick against Bangladesh. To which, the match was won 2:1. In the same tournament, Bista also scored a brace against Afghanistan in the semi-finals to register a 3:2 victory for Nepal sending the team into the finals. Nepal went on to win the final defeating India on penalty kicks.

Senior career Bista made his international debut for Nepal on 31 October 2014 coming on for Sandip Rai in the 61st minute in an eventual 3–0 loss against the Philippines.

On 6 March 2015, Bista was selected for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) 2-legged match against India. He was also one of the main players when Nepal won the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh and the gold medal in SAG Games. He scored 2 goals during the Gold winning run in the 2016 SAG Games - one against Bhutan and one against Maldives in the semi-final. Bista has since been a prominent member of the Nepal senior team.

Bista scored his first international goals on 10 September 2019 in 2–0 victory against Chinese Taipei in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification in Taipei. Bista performed well against Australia earning praise from the commentator Andy Harper and Simon Hill from Fox Sports.

Personal life After the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship it was announced that Bista had plans to turn to singing. Soon after a video of Bista singing popular a Dashain song was released. "This is a new taste for [me]. I really enjoy singing." said Bista afterwards thanking Kaarlrekha productions.

Career statistics

Club

International goals Scores and results list Nepal's goal tally first. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 10 September 2019 Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 2. 2–0 3. 29 May 2021 Al Fayhaa Stadium, Basra, Iraq 1–1 2–6 Friendly 4. 3 June 2021 Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 5. 2 September 2021 Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 1–0 1–1 Friendly 6. 4 October 2021 National Football Stadium, Malé, Maldives 2–0 3–2 2021 SAFF Championship 7. 13 October 2021 1–1 1–1 8. 27 September 2022 Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 1–0 3–1 Friendly 9. 2–0 10. 3–0 11. 16 November 2022 1–0 1–0 Friendly 12. 21 June 2023 Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, India 1–3 1–3 2023 SAFF Championship 13. 12 October 2023Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal 1–1 1–1 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours Individual NSJF Sports Award 2016 Youth Player of the Year