ISL 2024-25: All six foreigners of Mohammedan SC

The Black Panthers have reinforced their foreign contingent heading into the ISL.

Mohammedan SC are ready to make their Indian Super League (ISL) debut in the upcoming 2024-25 season. They’ll become the third Kolkata club to join the top flight of Indian football after having earned their promotion from winning the I-League 2023-24 title.

The Black Panthers have a rich, varied history as one of the oldest clubs in the country. They’ll now aim to make their mark in the ISL and give a tough fight to the prominent top-flight teams. But Mohammedan are aware of the need to utilize quality foreign players smartly for them to oust the difficult competition in the ISL.

Fortunately, they have invested in some experienced, talented foreign players who have the capability of succeeding in a league like the ISL. Here we look at all six foreigners signed by Mohammedan SC ahead of their ISL debut.

Alexis Gomez – Argentina

A graduate of notable Argentine club Estudiantes, Alexis Gomez even played for their senior team before making his move to India. He has spent the last few campaigns in the I-League, first playing for Sudeva Delhi before being roped in by Mohammedan. The 24-year-old played a vital role in helping the Kolkata giants win the I-League last season, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 16 appearances. Gomez is naturally a striker but proved to be versatile enough to play in multiple roles last season.

Indeed, the Argentine played in the wide areas and even in midfield for the Black Panthers. He is a really proactive, bubbling figure in the opposition half and loves to get involved in attacking moves. Gomez can be a tricky customer due to his unpredictable movement, and he possesses enough creativity and link-up ability to help his teammates too. Gomez will aim to take the ISL by storm by using his unique style to trouble defenders and be a prolific figure in the final third in scoring and assisting for Mohammedan SC.

Cesar Lobi Manzoki – Zaire

The Black Panthers have been able to strengthen their frontline with the signing of African striker Cesar Lobi Manzoki. The 27-year-old had most recently played in the UAE Pro League and Chinese Super League, scoring 10 goals in 38 appearances for Chinese side Dalian Pro. Manzoki is a sharp and robust forward who should be well-suited to the requirements of the ISL.

He has already proven himself as a pretty clinical goal-scorer who excels in finishing off chances efficiently in the box and can also move around with the ball nicely. Manzoki will look to use his unpredictable style to outwit defenders in the ISL matches and give Mohammedan SC an edge in the attack.

Mirjalol Kasimov – Uzbekistan

Mohammedan SC have also fortified their midfield by holding onto Uzbekistan midfielder Mirjalol Kasimov for their ISL debut. The 28-year-old was an impressive figure for Andrey Chernyshov’s side last season, making 21 appearances in the I-League and also scoring four goals. He is a hard-working, technically adept midfielder who can play anywhere in midfield – mostly in the defensive midfield role.

Kasimov has enough sturdiness to calmly protect his backline from trouble by dropping deep and making it tough for the opposition to penetrate their shape. He can also be quite prolific in moving the ball forward and scoring the odd goal with his clever finishing skills. Kasimov will need to use his positive energy in helping the Black Panthers keep hold of the midfield battle during matches, which involves protecting his backline and also being smart in robbing the opposition of the ball to trigger counter-attacks.

Joseph Adjei – Ghana

The Black Panthers’ management were well aware of their need to build a strong defensive line to have a chance of competing strongly in the ISL. As a result, they decided to hold onto a reliable option in Ghanaian defender Joseph Adjei for their debut campaign. This is due to the experienced 28-year-old’s heroics for the club last season in helping them clinch the I-League title. Adjei only missed two I-Legue matches last season and helped them keep seven clean sheets in 22 appearances.

Adjei can even play as a full-back if necessary and is a no-nonsense, sharp defender. He excels at reading the opposition’s attacking moves and making clutch clearances to avert danger and is physically strong enough to outmuscle forwards and win key duels too. Adjei has to be at his sharpest and maintain consistency to ensure Mohammedan SC aren’t the whipping boys of the ISL and that they can keep many clean sheets.

Franca – Brazil

Mohammedan SC are eager to impress as an attack-minded team and to help them do that, they’ve also managed to add some Brazilian magic to their squad.

The Black Panthers have been able to sign Brazilian forward Franca ahead of the 2024/25 season and are getting quite an exciting, aggressive attacking player in him. Franca spent the previous season with Bulgarian top-flight club Lokomotiv Sofia, contributing six goals (four goals, two assists) in 27 league appearances.

He’s a versatile forward who can play as a center-forward and even as a speedy, inverted right-winger. The 29-year-old comes to India with a wealth of experience, having played well over 150 competitive games – including 70 for Sofia. He’ll look to use his samba magic in troubling the India defenders, which includes utilizing his pace and trickery to get into key positions in the final third and putting his decisive finishing skills to good use.

Mohammed Kadiri – Ghana

The Black Panthers have added decent depth to their foreign core with the signing of another versatile player in Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kadiri. The 28-year-old can operate both as a midfielder and as a centre-back, adding more options to the Kolkata giants’ squad. Kadiri has actually played for a few prominent European clubs in his career, including Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv and Austrian side Austria Wien.

He played for Azerbaijan top flight club Araz-Nakhchivan, last season, making 35 appearances and scoring four goals.

The 6’1’ midfielder is quite a mobile and strong player who excels in winning key duels in midfield and also drops back to aid his backline. Kadiri can prove to be an efficient asset for Chernyshov’s side due to his versatility and physical stature, which should help him trouble the midfielders in the ISL.

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