Category: News

Arthur Kouassi Looking Forward To Adjah Partnership

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club, on Wednesday, have registered Ivorian striker Arthur Kouassi at the Indian Football Association (IFA) Office for the ongoing 2018/19 Hero 2nd Division League.

The former Gokulam Kerala FC striker was accompanied by Club official Mr. Belal Ahmed Khan to the IFA Office.

“It won’t take long for me to settle in. I am feeling comfortable from the very first day here. In a big club like Mohammedan SC you have to be tuned in all the time. Definitely it’s challenging but challenges are good because that’s how you grow. I will make sure to repay the confidence and trust the club have shown in me.” Kouassi told mohammedansportingindia.com.

Kouassi says he is looking forward to form a effective partnership with Philip Adjah.

“Adjah is a great player. He is kind of player who play for you. He can score, but he also give good balls for you to score.” Kouassi noted.

“It will be a pleasure to play alongside him. I hope to be able to form a good partnership with him” he added.

Kouassi will wear the number 7 on the back at Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Mohammedan SC Rope In Ivorian Striker Desmos Arthur Kouassi 

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club is delighted to announce the signing of Ivorian striker Desmos Arthur Kouassi on a deal that runs until the end of the 2018/19 season.

The much-travled Kouassi has been added to the squad to strengthen attacking options further as the Club is looking for someone who can compliment skipper Philip Adjah Tetteh.

Kouassi began his career with Chinese Super League club Shenzhen FC in 2012, before moving to Hong Kong First Division side Citizen AA for the 2013 season. After leaving Hong Kong, Kouassi spent three seasons in the Philippines with Manila Jeepney and Global FC. During his time with Global FC, they reached the 2016 UFL Cup final, where they lost 3-1 to Ceres. After leaving Global FC, Kouassi scored six goals in thirteen games for Chin United in the Myanmar National League during the first half of 2017. In the second half of 2017, Kouassi returned to Philippines with Ilocos United, scoring eleven goals in twenty games before leaving in early 2018. In April 2018, Kouassi joined Mongolian Premier League side Ulaanbaatar City FC, where he has played under current Neroca FC coach Manuel Retamero Fraile.

Kouassi, who has represented Ivory Coast at youth level on five occasions, has also turned out for Gokulam Kerala FC in the current edition of I-League, before parting ways by mutual consent after both parties had a dispute.

Management Keeps Faith In Raghu Nandy

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporitng Club Management, led by Hony. General Secretary Jb. Mohammad Qamaruddin, has decided to keep faith in current incumbent Mr. Raghunath Nandy, who wished to resign after the Black Panthers suffered a 3-0 away defeat against Chhinga Venga FC in 2018/19 Hero 2nd Division League preliminary round on Friday.

Jb. Qamaruddin felt changing coach isn’t the solutions to the Black Panthers’ problems and since Mr. Nandy’s has been in charge since the begining of the season so he has a better chance of brining the team back on track. Mohammedan Sporting Club will resume training from February 5, 2019 at Club ground.

Young Panthers’ performance offeres promise

KOLKATA: Despite putting up a valiant effort Mohammedan Sporting Club U-13’s journey in the 2019 All India U-13 Padmashree Sailen Manna Smirity Gold Cup finished in the semi-final after they went down against Bidhan Nagar Football Academy.

The Young Panthers began their campaign in the knockout competition with  a 1-0 victory over Southern Samity before registering a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Avenue Sammilani.

However, The Young Panthers’ journey in the competition came to an end when they went down 0-1 against Bidhan Nagar Football Academy. Despite the heartbreaking defeat The Young Pnathers’ all-round performance offered promise and shows that under the leadership of Hony. Football Secretary Jb. Sharique Ahmed and Youth Development Chairman Jb. Wasim Akram, The Club is heading in the right direction in terms of youth development.

Spirited Chhinga Veng Ease Past Mohammedan SC

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club suffered yet another crushing defeat in the 2018/19 Hero 2nd Division League when Chhinga Veng FC beat them 3-0 in an Preliminary Round Group C encounter on Friday.

MS Dawngliana (2′), Lalromawia (25′) and Lalmuanzova (81′) were on target for the hosts at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl.

Going into the match Mohammedan SC manager Raghunath Nandy made five changes to the side by handing starts to debutante Asif Ali Molla alongside Stephenson Pale, Joyroseland Mrong Kharraswai, Amarendu Chakraborty and Priyant Singh at the expense of Nirmal Munda, Laltu Hembram, Safiul Rahman, Kushant Chuhan and Laltu Mondal.

Chhinga Veng were the better side in the opening exchanges and they managed to grab an early goal through MS Dawngliana, the speedy forward outpaced the Mohammedan SC defence, before firing past goalkeeper Priyant Singh to make it 1-0 to Chhinga Veng two minutes into the game.

From that goal onwards, Chhinga Veng dominated the proceedings, but poor decision-making let them down in the final third.

Nonetheless, Chhinga Veng’s pressure finally paid off as they doubled their lead in the 25th minute. A well-crafted move saw Chhinga Veng switch the play from left to right allowing Lalliansanga to set up Lalromawia, who received the ball on his chest before hitting the back of the net from inside the box.

Meanwhile, Mohammedan SC were presented with an opportunity to pull one back in the 35th minute, but Prosenjit Chakraboty’s effort from a corner was well saved by Chhinga Veng keeper Zothanmawia.

Philip Adjah was isolated upfront and more of a spectator, and failed to make any telling contribution.

Chhinga Veng, thereafter, continued to attack the rival goal and had a couple of really close chances, but poor finishing in the final third meant the first-half ended 2-0.

Chhinga Veng failed to control the game the way they did in the first stanza and Mohammedan SC managed to carve out a chance in the 49th minute after some neat interplay, but Zothanmawia saved comfortably from Mohammad Amirul.

Mohammedan SC launched attacks relentlessly, but Chhinga Veng – thanks as much to good defending as their opponents’ ineptitude – held them at bay before Lalmuanzova put the game to bed with a 81st-minute strike.

The victory took Chhinga Veng to the top of Group C with 7 points from 3 matches while Mohammedan SC on fifth with one point.

MOHAMMEDAN SC XI – Priyant Singh (GK), Balwinder Singh, Moses Zutah, Prosenjit Pal, Prosenjit Chakraborty (Kushant Chauhan – 80′), Asif Ali Molla, Amarendu Chakraborty (Firoj Ali – 64′), Pankaj Moula (Mohammad Amirul – 39′), Joyroseland Mrong Kharraswai, Stephanson Pale, Philip Adjah.

Hero 2nd Division League: Raghu Nandy Wants ‘A Big Push’ Against Rainbow AC

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club manager Raghunath Nandy, wants ‘a big push’ from his team as they look to bounce back from their opening day defeat when they face Rainbow Athletic Club on Thursday, kick-off 2 pm.

The Black Panthers face Rainbow AC at Barasat Stadium in their second Hero 2nd Division League preliminary round clash, but go into the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat against ATK Reserves last weekend. Rainbow AC, on the other hand, played out a goalless draw with Chhinga Veng FC on their Hero 2nd Division League debut on Monday.

Nandy is hoping that his side can forget about the result on Saturday and focus on getting back on track.

Speaking to mohammedansportingindia.com ahead of the clash, Nandy said, “We need a big push from the players to put the past defeat behind. We will field a team that is ready tactically, physically and with the desire to go win the game.”

It’s a match Nandy will obviously be desperate to get a reaction from his men, but has admitted he faces a tough task to lift the battered morale of his players.

“It’s never feels good when you lose a match, but we still have a lot of work to do.” Nandy said. “Even in the dressing room we are being realistic because there are still many matches to play and many points to play for. We need to remind players that it’s not the end of the world.”

Despite losing to ATK Reserves, Mohammedan SC played a good brand of football and were let down by their finishing in the last third, with one such noticeable player being Philip Adjah Tetteh, who time and again found himself in good space but failed to convert and seemed like an attacker, who was suffering from lack of confidence.

However, there is little doubt in Nandy’s mind about Adjah’s ability to contribute goals and assists consistently, as he backs the Ghanaian to rediscover his goal-scoring form.

Going into the match Nandy is expected to make a few tactical changes as Kushant Chauhan is likely to start with Adjah upfront which means Pankaj Moula will move to a more central role. Prosenjit Chakraborty could be preferred over Amarendu Chakraborty on the right wing while Balwinder Singh might be shifted from centre back to right back with Moses Zutah partnering Prosenjit Pal at the heart of the defence.

Nandy insisted that everyone‚ including the Black Panthers faithfuls must have faith in the team and have belief that they are capable of eking out the needed result against Rainbow AC.

Black Panthers Sign Ghanaian Defender Moses Zutah

KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club have added Ghanaian defender Moses Zutah to their roster for the ongoing Hero 2nd Division League 2018/19.

”I am very happy, thanks to the General Secretary Mr. Mohammad Qamaruddin and everyone for making this move possible. I am delighted to be a Black Panther,” Moses told mohammedansportingindia.com.

Moses joins the the Black Panthers from Ghana-based Revelation FC.  He has completed his registration at Indian Football Association (IFA) office this afternoon, and will be available for selection for Mohammedan Sporting’s second Hero 2nd Division League preliminary round fixture against Rainbow Athletic Club on Thursday.

Mohammedan SC off to winning start in GTA Chairman’s Gold Cup

DARJEELING: Mohammedan Sporting Club hammered BSS Sporting Club 3-0 to book their place in the semi-finals of the ongoing 2018 GTA Chairman’s Gold Cup on Wednesday at North Point School Ground in Darjeeling

Raghunath Nandi’s men were at their clinical best in the first-half against their Calcutta Premier Division rivals scoring thrice before the break.

Skipper Philip Adjah Tetteh started the ball rolling with two quick goals in the 5th and 7th minute respectively before he made it 3-0 in the 45th minute. Meanwhile, BSS Sporting Club also showed a lot of heart and fighting spirit to keep Mohammedan SC scoreless in the second 45.

Mohammedan SC looked dangerous from the outset with Adjah, Sumit Das, Prosenjit Chakraborty and Pankaj Maula forming a four-pronged attack that kept BSS Sporting Club’s defence well occupied.

Mohammedan SC’s blistering start was to pay dividends in the fifth minute when Adjah tapped home from close to put Mohammedan SC in the lead.

Having scored, Mohammedan SC began dominating every single play and it just took them two more minutes to find the back of the net again when Adjah got on the score-sheet with an impressive solo effort.

Mohammedan SC struck once again in the 45th minute through Adjah who held off a challenge before slotting home from inside the box and making it 3-0 going into the breather.

The Black Panthers maintained a total control in the second-half but they took their foot of the pedal.

Despite creating a number of opportunities to score they were unable to add to the first-half tally as BSS Sporting Club fought hard to keep the score respectable.

The Black Panthers will now face old foes Oil India, Dhulijan in the semi-final on Friday at Kalimpong.

Mohammedan SC XI: Laltu Mondal, Kamran Farraque, Prasenjit Paul, Seydou Mady, Snehashish Dutta, Satyam Sharma, Pankaj Maula, Sumit Das (Sumit Ghosh – 90′), Seiboi Haokip (Firoz Ali – 71′), Prasenjit Chakraborty, Philip Adjah Tetteh (Mohammad Amirul – 82′).

Black Panthers crown Gold Cup champions

BODOLAND, KOKRAJHAR, ASSAM: Mohammedan Sporting Club clinched the title in the 19th Bodoland Martyrs Gold Cup after beating Oil India 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 0-0 draw on Sunday night.

It was an exceptional final with everything the thousands of fans who packed themselves into KDSA Stadium in Bodoland, Assam could have asked for.

Mohammedan SC started the brighter of the two teams and should have gone ahead; however, skipper Philip Adjah proved wasteful in his efforts, despite being put through on goal twice.

It was almost all Mohammedan SC for the first ten minutes, but as the match commenced Oil India slowly imposed their style on the match, slowing it in the midfield and then attacking into the final third at pace. They looked particularly dangerous through the overlapping runs of Jayanta Basumatary.

Nonetheless, Charles Atcha came closest to breaking the deadlock for Mohammedan SC in the 31st minute when he rose highest to head Safiul Rahman’s ball into the area; however, Oil India goalkeeper Nihal Das tipped the powerful effort on to the crossbar.

Then Adjah came close to opening the scoring with a fine 25-yard volley, but his effort narrowly missed the post as both teams went into the break scoreless.

The second-half saw Oil India starting to look more comfortable amongst themselves, with some great strings of passes pieced together in the middle, but they struggled to find that killer final pass.

Sourav Chakraborty, who got the nod for this match over Laltu Mondal, put in a stellar performance. The gloveman commanded his penalty area and was able to halt some powerful efforts from Oil India’s Tulya Das and William Gangte.

Also playing out of his skin today was Prosenjit Pal who managed the back-line with finesse and made a couple of incredibly crucial tackles to halt Sirandeep Moran, which Mohammedan SC really needed him to make.

Thereafter, the home side continued to probe and made an attacking substitution in search of the goal as Geremsha Basumatary replaced Tridip Hazarika in the 69th minute.

As the match progressed Oil India did all the attacking and it took everything Mohammedan SC had left in their tank to deny the onslaught from Oil India. Sourav also made a number of telling saves to keep his side in the contest.

At full-time with the teams deadlocked the match headed to directly to a penalty shootout where Black Panthers proved to be better shooters and prevailed 5-4.

Oil India was first up and both teams nailed their first two kicks. However, Sourav continued his heroics by halting the third kick from Oil India, and with Mohammedan SC slotting their remaining kicks, they were crowned winners of the 19th Bodoland Martyrs Gold Cup.