Which Mohun Bagan footballer may get the axe after a disappointing result in Kolkata League?

Siliguri derby Raj 25
Mohun Bagan players celebrating after scoring a goal against arch-rival East Bengal. Image Source: XtraTime

Sabyasachi Bagchi, Siliguri: Kamo Stephane Bayi can be the first casualty following the disappointing result in Calcutta Football League. The Ivory Coast striker is likely to be released by Mohun Bagan after his performance in the derby last night. It was his goal miss last night that cost Mariners the league title to arch rivals East Bengal.

Kamo missed a sitter in the second half when he had only East Bengal custodian Louis Barreto to beat but his shot was wide. Bagan would have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead and sealed the fate of the match. But as it turned out East Bengal scored the equaliser few minutes later through a controversial penalty.

A dejected Kamo did not hide his disappointment to xtratime.in.  

“I am very upset with myself as my team (Mohun Bagan) had a golden opportunity to win the Kolkata league after 7 years. For me it is very bad to miss the opportunity. I am very disappointed because in football sometimes you score and sometimes you miss. It is all part of the game,” said Kamo.

On being asked that the officials might not be keen to get his service for the I League, Kamo said, “If the officials (MB officials) think about releasing me it is not a problem. I had given my best for this club right from the start of the season.”

With the Green and Maroon officials already confirming the services of Kroma, Sony Norde, Dipanda Dicka, Kinowacki and Kingsley, it is very unlikely that Kamo will be retained.

If the performance of Kamo was disappointing, Mohun Bagan officials can take a lot of heart with the performance of Kromah. It was Kromah’s goal through penalty in the second half that gave Mariners the all important lead.

 The Liberian striker was very disappointed not to find himself in the champion side.

 “This was my first experience of playing in a derby and I am happy with my performance,” said Kromah to xtratime.in

Kromah has now scored thrice against East Bengal. The previous occasion he scored twice for Churchill Brothers was in the I League and Federation Cup last season.

The Liberian now has his eyes set on the I League. He dedicated the goal he scored last night to his mother. According to Kromah, “I always wanted to do well for my club and the fans. For me being the highest goal scorer is not important if my team does not win.”

Mohun Bagan Coach Shankarlal Chakraborty still cannot believe the referee’s decision to flash a red card at Kingshuk Debnath. According to the gaffer, “It was hard to believe that Kingshuk getting a red card as that wasn’t a red card offence. I still maintain that we were forced to play against 14 last night. Habib Sir often used to tell me that as a coach I should always be prepared to play against 14.”

Mohun Bagan Captain Kingshuk Debnath also found it hard to swallow his offence for which he was flashed a red card.

A dejected Bagan captain shared similar emotions like his coach to xtratime.in.

“It was Surabuddin who fouled me. Everyone saw what exactly happened. I think the referee was not blind either. He (Surabuddin) fell down and got bruises after my boots brushed him. I was stunned to see the referee flashing me a Red Card.”

The Calcutta League has seen the rise of some very promising youngsters.

We are not focussing on I League right now. Our main focus now will be winning the Sikkim Gold Cup. If you ask who the finds of this season, there are quite a few names like Lyngdoh, Shilton D’Silva and Nikhil Kadam. Azharuddin has matured himself as a player along with Rainier Fernandes.

The Green and Maroon footballers reached the city this evening. They will be travelling to Siliguri on October 08 to take part in the Sikkim Governors Gold Cup.