3 Reasons that ensured Mohun Bagan’s CFL title success

Mohun Bagan ended their eight-year curse and clinched Calcutta Football League for the 30th time.

The green and maroon club last won the popular domestic league way back in 2009-2010, what was their third successive title.

With the help of legends like Jose Ramirez Barreto and Chidi Edeh, they were superior to their rivals.

But what transpired in the next few years was unthinkable for a reputed club like Mohun Bagan. Unable to get success, the club changed coaches frequently, which in turn affected their results.

Not only in the I-League, but they have also fumbled in CFL. The infighting within the club created more pressure from outside.

Fans were depressed and sometimes vented their anger. Arch rivals East Bengal maintained their supremacy in the domestic league by winning it eight-successive times.

Things started to change from 2015. Under the tutelage of Sanjoy Sen, Mohun Bagan won their maiden I-League title quite fashionably. It created an uproar as Mohun Bagan was the first club from Kolkata to won the trophy since it was re-christened as ‘I-League’. Immediately from fans to officials, from coach to footballers --- everyone turned their attention towards Calcutta Football League.

East Bengal by then won the title for fifth successive time and was on the verge of breaking their own record of six successive CFL titles. In a desperate bid to stop this, Sanjoy made CFL his priority.

They were unable to do so as the red and golds pipped their arch-rivals by one point to lift the title. The next year was disastrous for the green and maroons as they were docked three points for not fielding a U-23 player against Tollygunge Agragami. They finished their campaign on the third position with 18 points and East Bengal broke their own record and won the title for a seventh-straight time.

It was so near yet so far for Mohun Bagan last year. They were on their path of breaking East Bengal’s domination.

The title-deciding moment came down to Kolkata Derby. Mohun Bagan was leading 2-1 at a point of time before a Mahmood Al-Amnah penalty restored parity for East Bengal.

The game finished 2-2 and by virtue of a better goal difference, East Bengal went home with their eighth successive CFL title.

This year was different. With their eyes set firmly on CFL, Mohun Bagan have made no mistake all throughout and despite a draw with East Bengal, they secured CFL with a match in their hand. There are a few reasons behind their success and we will look at them in this article.

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#1 Sankarlal’s mastermind

Sankarlal Chakroborty was handed the responsibility of coaching in Mohun Bagan’s title-winning I-League campaign in 2015.

After head coach Karim Bencharifa was sacked, assistant coach Sankarlal was made the interim head of the green and maroon side. His role was only for four months before the club appointed Sanjoy as the head coach.

With his vast experience and tactical mind, Sanjoy helped Mohun Bagan to win the elusive I-League title and became a fan favourite overnight. Behind the success, it was hard to deny the role played by Sankarlal. Sanjoy was also happy with his deputy’s role and decided to continue him as his assistant.

Sankarlal’s footballing career came to a premature end. He broke his shin-bone after a clash with Chima Okorie. But his love and passion for football was undeniable. He is not a hard taskmaster.

That would be evident when you see him joking with the players. His cool and calm approach made things easier.

So when Sanjoy resigned midway in last year’s disastrous I-League campaign, officials didn’t split their hair before appointing Sankarlal as his successor. And the rest is history.

But Sankarlal’s main job now is to keep the team intact and win another I-League.

#2 Young players

Among this bunch of young Turks, Pintu made a name for himself by scoring in the Kolkata Derby

Mohun Bagan may be the only team in this year’s CFL who had the youngest squad. Players like Pintu Mahato, Arijit Bagui, Abhishek Amnbekar, Shilton D’Silva, Tirthankar Sarkar helped to instill young blood in the team.

All the credit goes to Sankarlal. He knew that he will not get star players for the CFL campaign. So he began recruiting talented young players on his team. The Mohun Bagan Academy in Durgapur also helped in this case.

The players repaid his faith. Among this bunch of young Turks, Pintu made a name for himself by scoring in the Kolkata Derby.

The boy from Jangalmahal in West Midnapore district of West Bengal instantly became toast in the eyes of Mohun Bagan supporters.

Arijit is another useful talent. In Kolkata Derby, both of Mohun Bagan’s goal came from Arijit’s pass.

He possesses a clear vision and is very useful as a wing back. Abhishek, Shilton also played their role in consolidating the midfield.

#3 Dicka-Kisekka duo

Dicka also found an able partner in Henry Kisekka

Asier Pierrick Dipanda Dicka is a shy guy and always wear a smile on his face. This is his fourth year in Indian football.

For the last three years, he retains the ‘top scorer’ tag. He became the top scorer with Shillong Lajong FC in 2015-16 I-League.

Then with Mohammedan Sporting in 2017-18 CFL. In the same year, he was also the top scorer in I-League with Mohun Bagan.

Now in CFL, he scored 10 goals and will be top scorer provided Ansumanah Kromah of Peerless doesn’t add his more goals in his kitty.

Dicka also found an able partner in Henry Kisekka. The Ugandan footballer joined green and maroon this year from Gokulam Kerala FC.

Last year, Kisekka scored against East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Watching his goal-scoring prowess, Mohun Bagan officials didn’t waste time and signed him quickly. The understanding between the duo is impeccable.

Henry scored both the goals against Calcutta Customs, the match which ensured Mohun Bagan’s CFL title.

Henry also got himself on the scoresheet against East Bengal. Mohun Bagan, in all probability, will retain this duo and if Sony Norde comes into picture, then this trio will be deadliest attacking line-up of Indian football for sure.