Mohammedan Sporting Club coach Raghunath Nandi is anticipating a tough competition but he is confident that his charges are good enough to challenge for the title as Black Panthers returns to Assam to participate in the Bharatratnalokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy 2018.

Black Panthers, who looks to build on their Nagaon Independence Day Cup exploits where they fell short on penalties against BSF Jalandhar in final, leaves for Guwahati tomorrow morning, and Nandi has full confidence that his team will be up for the challenging group. Mohammedan SC are drawn into Group B with local outfits Assam Police Blues and Barhoongkha FC alongside 2nd Division League rivals TRAU FC.

“It will be a tough and closely contested tournament,” says the veteran tactician. “In our group we have two local teams and it’s always difficult to face Assamese teams in Assam. However, we are going there to win matches. It’s very important for our 2nd Division League preparations.”

“I think we are one of the favourites in the tournament, but in cup competitions we often see big teams eliminated in the first round so we have to stay focused,” he continued.

Although Nandi admits that he did not get enough time to prepare for the competition but says the mood is good in the camp and the players are confident ahead of their campaign.

“We didn’t have much time to prepare but we had to make sure the team is organised for the tournament. The spirit is high in the team and the boys believe that we will do well in Assam.”

“I must make it absolutely clear that we approach the Bordoloi Trophy with humility and a lot of respect for our opponents. We know what we have to do, but there is no way we underestimate any of our opponents.”

Mohammedan Sporting Club will open it’s campaign against Assam Police Blues on October 28 at Mukalmua Stadium, Nalbari.

Mohammedan Sporting Club Squad

Goalkeepers
Sourav Chakraborty, Laltu Mondal

Defenders
Prosenjit Paul, Toure Sheila, Ashim Kumar Dey, Debasish Pradhan, Snehasish Dutta, Kamran Farooque

Midfielders
David Asamoah, Rakesh Karmakar, Laltu Hembram, Ujjal Hawladar, Satyam Sharma, Sumit Ghosh, Sujay Mondal, Prosenjit Chakraborty

Forwards
Philip Adjah, Avijit Metya, Sujit Soren, Charles Atcha

Officals
Raghunath Nandi (Head Coach)

Bordoloi Trophy Group B Fixtures

(Mohammedan Sporting Club)