IFL 2026-27: Mohammedan SC eyes win vs Shillong Lajong; Gokulam Kerala hosts debutant Samaleswari

Mohammedan Sporting Club will begin its Indian Football League 2026–27 campaign against last season’s runners-up Shillong Lajong FC, while debutant Samaleswari SC will take on two-time champion Gokulam Kerala FC in a double-header on Saturday, Sportstar reported. Mohammedan SC’s match will be played at the Kalyani Football Stadium, while Gokulam Kerala FC will host Samaleswari SC at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode.

Mohammedan SC’s return and preparation

Mohammedan Sporting Club, based in Kolkata, West Bengal, competes in the Indian Football League, the second tier of the Indian football league system, as well as the Calcutta Football League.

The Black Panthers last played in the competition in 2023–24, when they were crowned champions and earned promotion. Their last outing came on September 19, leaving a lengthy gap between matches.

The team began its training only three days before the opening fixture, initially with just 10 players available. By the matchday-minus-one session, the squad had grown to 17 players, who completed their final training at the Club ground ahead of the Shillong Lajong clash.

Assistant coach Sudhir Mishra said Mohammedan would play for a victory rather than settle for a share of the points. Midfielder Mahitosh Roy acknowledged the difficulties of getting the squad back together after the break but said everyone was in a condition to play.

Fardin Ali Molla, Israfil Dewan, Hira Mondal, goalkeeper Subhodip Pandit and Nikhil Deka were among those present at the final session. Jeremy and Dinesh Meitei are yet to join the squad.

Shillong Lajong’s credentials

Shillong Lajong FC, based in Shillong, Meghalaya, is competing in the Indian Football League following promotion from the 2022–23 I-League 2. Last season, head coach Birendra Thapa guided an all-Indian squad to a historic runner-up finish on 28 points, one behind champion Diamond Harbour FC.

Lajong ended the campaign in style with a 3-0 win over the champions in their final match, in which Phrangki Buam was one of the scorers. Buam, the league’s Most Valuable Player last season, returns as Lajong’s main attacking threat, alongside Everbrightson Sana.

The Meghalaya side has also added overseas experience to their core, including Brazilian defender Arthur Pangaro and fellow Brazilian Jota.

Gokulam Kerala’s rebuilding season

For Gokulam Kerala FC, Saturday is a chance to draw a line under one of the most testing campaigns in the club’s history. Last season, the Malabarians went through three head coaches.

They finished the league phase ninth with two wins from nine matches and were drawn into the relegation round. Their survival came down to the final night when they won 1-0 against Sreenidi Deccan to stay afloat.

Brazilian Head Coach Carlos Eduardo Parreira, who was appointed in July, has coached in Brazil, Thailand and Indonesia and has worked with Brazil’s youth national sides. He has a reshaped squad to work with.

Brazilian forward Crislan, 34, arrives with 73 goals in 294 career appearances across six countries. Ghanaian striker Denny Antwi returns to Kozhikode, where he scored 11 goals in 15 league matches during the 2020–21 title-winning season.

Midfielder Lalchungnunga Chhangte has joined the club from Sreenidi Deccan FC.

Samaleswari SC’s debut

Samaleswari SC, founded in Sambalpur, Odisha, in 2006, will mark a significant step, playing in the second division of men’s football for the first time. The club, having acquired the IFL rights of Delhi FC, will host its home matches at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela this season.

IFL 2026-27 opening fixtures

Related on Apex Sports News

• IFL 2026-27: Nagaland United set for debut against Real Kashmir

• ISL 2026-27: NorthEast United face Bengaluru FC in Guwahati

• ISL 2026-27: Punjab FC targets unbeaten run against Mohun Bagan

Sources

• Sportstar

• thehawk.in

• Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)