Kolkata: Fighting to beat the drop, a beleagured Mohun Bagan will be bolstered by the presence of their talismanic Nigerian striker Okolie Odafa in a crucial I-League encounter here on Sunday.
Mohun Bagan are still at the bottom of the table and coach Karim Bencherifa has every reason to feel edgy as his team failed to pick up full points in the previous home match against Shillong Lajong FC.
“We failed to win despite getting the lead twice in the last match (against SLFC). This spoke of a lack of concentration and the team needs to be more focused in ensuring a victory,” Bencherifa said.
About Bagan’s opponents, he answered, “Dempo are a tough opponents. But I do not wish to look at the opponent and focus more on our own objective that is to find as many wins as possible.”
Mohun Bagan have 10 points from 17 matches and have a long way to go in order to loosen the noose of relegation.
United Sikkim (15 points) and Air India (19) are the two teams Mohun Bagan have to surpass first to dispel their relegation fears.
“I hope my players understand the situation and get organised more effectively,” Bencherifa said adding that the team’s most prolific striker Odafa has recovered well and is available for selection.
Dempo have remained winless in the last five rounds where they lost three successive matches.
Coach Armando Colaco looked at this poor record and hoped for an early deliverance.
“We have definitely fallen back in the title race but we are hopeful of striking back and getting back our winning rhythm,” said Colaco, who has guided Dempo to five national league titles.
The coach indicated that Mahesh Gawli and Ryuji Seuoka were doubtful starters for the match.
On Friday, Prayag United and East Bengal drew 2-2, while Mumbai FC and Pailan Arrows played out a 1-1 draw. (PTI)