Chennaiyin FC set for Super Cup opener against Mohun Bagan

Chennaiyin FC, led by head coach Clifford Miranda, begin their AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 campaign against Mohun Bagan on October 25, featuring an all-Indian squad blending youth and experience

Hyderabad: Led by former India international attacker Clifford Miranda, a 24-member Chennaiyin FC squad will participate in the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26.

Drawn in Group A, the Marina Machans will begin their campaign with a crucial clash against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on October 25 at the Fatorda Stadium, before facing East Bengal FC and Dempo SC.

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Miranda, a previous Super Cup winner as a coach, brings extensive knowledge of the Indian football ecosystem, having enjoyed a long and successful career on both sides of the pitch. The 45-cap India international, who also managed Goa and Odisha, becomes the club’s first Indian head coach and will lead an all-Indian squad through the tournament.

Speaking ahead of their opener, Miranda said, “For most teams, not training for more than five months is always difficult. Within a short period, we need to turn up and play our first game, and then play three games in six days. This is how football is — how life is. It is difficult in terms of physicality and adaptation, but we are ready. Hopefully, we improve match by match. I truly believe in the players we have. We have some really good players wanting to prove themselves. We should, and must, be ready for the 25th.”

Miranda’s Chennaiyin FC squad features a balanced mix of experience and youth, combining established first-team regulars with promising talents from the reserve ranks. The team boasts solid depth across all departments — reliable custodians, a strong defensive unit led by Pritam Kotal, a dynamic midfield anchored by Jiteshwor Singh and Lalrinliana Hnamte, and an energetic attack spearheaded by Irfan Yadwad and Farukh Choudhary.

Following their opening fixture against Mohun Bagan, Chennaiyin FC will face East Bengal on October 28 and Dempo on October 31, with both matches scheduled at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Samik Mitra, Md. Nawaz, Mohanraj K.
Defenders: PC Laldinpuia, Ankit Mukherjee, Mandar Rao Dessai, Pritam Kotal, Vignesh D., Laldinliana Renthlei, Sk. Rajjak Ali, Klusner John Manuel Pereira, Raj Basfore
Midfielders: Farukh Choudhary, Jitendra Singh, Maheson Singh, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Jiteshwor Singh, Karthick Thirumalai, Raman Singh Ngangom, Solaimalai R., Kingslee Fernandes
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Gurkirat Singh, Vivek S.