Exclusive: Chennai City FC determined to play AFC Cup from Chennai

The club had earlier declared EKA Arena of Ahmedabad as the home base for their continental journey.

Chennai City FC are likely set to play their AFC Cup home games from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Khel Now has learned. Earlier, the club had declared EKA Arena of Ahmedabad as their home base for the continental tournament.

“Chennai City FC will play their home games of the upcoming AFC Cup from Chennai, however, it will depend on venue clearance by the Asian Football Confederations’ Inspection Committee which is scheduled to happen soon but the club is hopeful that the clearance will be granted," a source close to the development revealed.

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Last year, Indian Super League outfit Chennaiyin FC were forced to play their AFC Cup campaign from Ahmedabad because the JLN stadium in Chennai did not meet the AFC guidelines . Apart from that, the Marina Machans faced misunderstandings between the club management and the local authorities and it looks like the I-League outfit will not face similar hurdles as their ISL counterpart.

Chennai City FC are not having the brightest of seasons as they find themselves in the sixth position with just 19 points from 14 games, only four points above the relegation zone. The Coimbatore-based side went through a massive change in the summer with the likes of Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Nestor Gordillo, Sandro Rodriguez, Gaurav Bora all leaving the club.  Talismanic striker and last year's Golden Boot awardee in the I-League also left in mid-season for greener pastures in Japan.

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Chennai City FC went on to compete in the AFC Champions League in the first qualifier where they went down fighting against Baharian champions Al Riffa Soccer Club earlier in January. Akbar Nawas’ men will be hoping for a change in fortunes in AFC Cup when they begin their journey on March 11 against Maldivian team Maziya Sports and Recreation Club.

Along with Maziya S&RC, Chennai City are pooled with Basundhra Kings of Bangladesh and TC Sports of Maldives in Group E of the AFC Cup. The winner of the group stage will then qualify for the knockout stages.