Mohammedan SC got off to a promising start in their inaugural ISL season. Despite a valiant effort, they narrowly lost their opening match 1-0 to North East United FC, conceding in injury time. However, they bounced back in the next game to secure their first ISL point in a hard-fought draw against FC Goa, although they again conceded late, dashing their hopes of a win.
In their third game, they finally announced their arrival with a historic first ISL victory at the Chennaiyin FC’s home ground, positioning themselves as a potential surprise package ahead of their highly anticipated first-ever ISL derby against Mohun Bagan.
But then the decline started. Mohammedan have now lost three consecutive games and are languishing in second-last position on the table. Over the last three games, the Black Panthers have conceded nine goals, appearing increasingly off-track. In their latest outing against Hyderabad FC, a team struggling this season, Mohammedan was punished with three quick goals within the first 15 minutes.
So, what’s going wrong for the Black and White Brigade? Let’s examine some key issues that have hindered Mohammedan’s progress after their bright start.
- Lack of a Clinical Number 9
Mohammedan has managed only three goals in six games, two of which came from penalties. Lalremsanga Fanai scored their only open-play goal against Chennaiyin FC. This stat reflects the lack of effectiveness upfront. Their Central African Republic forward, Cesar LobiManzoki, has been underwhelming, and Brazilian forward Franca, who prefers to play as a winger, has been forced into a striker role due to Manzoki’s struggles. If Mohammedan’s forwards don’t improve their urgency in front of goal, climbing the table will be challenging.
- Inexperience Among Domestic Players
For Mohammedan’s Indian players, including Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak and FanaiLalremsanga, this is their first ISL season. Although head coach Andrey Chernyshov initially expressed confidence in his domestic squad, the season has exposed certain limitations in their game. Their only hope now is to adapt quickly to the demands of the league and elevate their performances.
- Inconsistent Defence
Mohammedan’s backline looked relatively solid in the first three games, conceding only two goals, but has since been fully exposed, with nine goals conceded in the last three outings. In their previous game, French defender Florent Ogier replaced the injured Joseph Adjae but struggled to meet expectations. Indian centre-back Gaurav Bora has been inconsistent, showing promise in some games while making costly errors in others. Stabilising the defence will be crucial for Mohammedan moving forward.
- Conceding late
The Black Panthers have let in three goals in the closing stages of matches, costing them points. Had they not conceded late against North East and Goa, they could have secured four points from their opening two games. Fitness issues and lapses in concentration have led to these defensive mistakes toward the end of games. Coach Chernyshov has acknowledged that a delayed preseason might have affected the team’s stamina. Hopefully, this will improve as the league progresses.
- Lack of Bench Impact
Mohammedan’s bench strength has been underwhelming so far, with no player able to make an immediate impact. In their last game, Chernyshov substituted Lalremsanga and Florent with Manzoki and Makhan Chote after going down 3-0 in the first half, but neither could change the game’s momentum. This highlights the need for a stronger bench to add depth and dynamism.
The Road Ahead for the Black Panthers
Mohammedan SC faces two critical upcoming fixtures: a clash with local rivals East Bengal FC on November 9, followed by a home game against Bengaluru FC after the international break. While most of Mohammedan’s foreign players, except for Florent and Manzoki, have been decent; however, Florent and Manzoki need to understand the weight of the Mohammedan jersey and improve their contributions.
The upcoming transfer window will also be crucial as Mohammedan SC looks to strengthen their domestic lineup with valuable signings.