Mohammedan Sporting Club coach Raghunath Nandy has refused to buy into the favourites tag on his team’s head ahead of their Bodoland Martyrs Gold Cup final clash against Oil India, Dhulijan.

The meeting set for Sunday night at KDSA Stadium in Bodoland, Assam sees two former champions go head-to-head in what is seen as a grudge match.

Black Panthers are currently enjoying a rich vein of form and will be looking at the likes of skipper Philip Adjah, Charles Atcha and Kamran Farooque for inspiration.

However, the final match will not be an easy one as Oil India lost 3-1 against Mohammedan SC earlier this month in the 65th Bordoloi Trophy final and with the result still fresh on everyone’s minds, Oil India will surely want to turn the tables around.

“We are fully aware that the opponent is eager to take revenge, and as such, we need to be on our toes. We have no right to be on flat foot. We need to be fully aware that we are playing against a team that has quality individuals,” Nandy told mohammedansportingindia.com.

The former East Bengal defender says the final will be a open contest despite exhibiting an output which has clearly put his team above their opponents for the championship clash.

For many a fan, Black Panthers are the favourite to win the ultimate at the knockout competition, but Nandy is not willing give ear to that assertion and insisted that Oil India have an equal chance of being crowned champions.

“We are not favourites. From a tactical point of view‚ the set up for both teams is almost similar. Both teams have the equal chance of winning the competition. Since this is a knockout tournament every game was like a final and it will be same against Oil India. We will put in our best to make sure we win,” Nandy said.

The veteran tactician also mentioned his team will go to the final aiming to put smiles on faces of Black Panthers faithful.

“We need to put smiles on the faces of our supporters. They are that driving force and they are that fuelling factor that is keeping us moving,” he conlcuded.

The match at KDSA Stadium in Bodoland, Assam will kick-off at 7 pm.

(Mohammedan Sporting Club)