Jamshedpur FC face Mohammedan SC at home in ISL 2025-26 season opener

Can Owen Coyle kickstart his second innings with Red Miners with win over Black Panthers?

Footballing action returns to the Steel City as home team Jamshedpur FC are set to lock horns against Mohammedan SC in their season opener at the JRD Tata Complex on February 15th, 2026. The Red Miners almost made it to the semi-finals last season but had a dismal campaign in the recently concluded AIFF Super Cup. Things have not been all well for the Red Miners ever since Khalid Jamil left the Steel City for national team duties.

The Black Panthers, on the other hand, have stuck with Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who took over the reins after Andrey Chernyshov parted ways. In their debut season, the Calcutta giants had some moments of brilliance and will be keen to fight for the playoff berth in the upcoming season.

The Stakes

Jamshedpur FC

It won’t be a cakewalk for Owen Coyle as the former Burnley gaffer is yet to beat Mohammedan SC. The last two times he faced the Black Panthers, both games ended in a winless cause. Jamshedpur FC have accumulated a strong squad, retaining their core players like Stephen Eze, Rei Tachikawa and Lazar Cirkovic.

They also acquired the services of Raphael Messi Bouli and Madih Talal, who will be keen to play their first home game under the Furnace lights. All eyes will be on young Sanan and Vincy to create opportunities from the flanks and make those accelerated runs.

Mohammedan SC

The Black Panthers would be leaving no stone unturned to kickstart their new season with a win over the Red Miners at the Furnace. They have roped in Meharjuddin Wadoo and another veteran like Subhasish Roy to their coaching staff.

It will be interesting to see how their Indian core players like Kiyam Amarjit Singh, Hira Mondal and Padam Chettri step up when it matters the most. They might not enter the game as favourites, but have all the potential to script a potential upset in their opening game.

Team & Injury News

There are no injury concerns in the Red Miners camp. Similarly, Mehrajuddin Wadoo will also have the luxury to pick his best combination of players from a fully fit and available side.

Head-to-head

Total Matches – 04

Jamshedpur FC wins – 03

Mohammedan SC wins – 01

Draws – 00

Predicted Lineups

Jamshedpur FC (4-3-3) 

Albino Gomes (GK); Nikhil Barla, Pratik Chaudhari, Stephen Eze, Mark Zo; Rei Tachikawa, Pronay Halder, Madih Talal; Vincy Baretto, Raphael Messi Bouli, Md Sanan

Mohammedan SC (4-3-3)

Padam Chettri (GK); Zoherliana, Singson, Gaurav Bora, Hira Mondal; Amarjit Singh, Sajal Bag, Jeremy Laldinpuia; Rochharzela, Thokcham, Lalremsanga

Players to watch

Raphael Messi Bouli (Jamshedpur FC)

The former Cameroon international had a good start with the Red Miners despite the Men of Steel failing to make it to the playoffs in the AIFF Super Cup. He has plied his trade with Kerala Blasters and East Bengal FC in his previous stints in India.

He is a lethal goal-scoring machine, and it will be interesting to see him play alongside creative playmakers like Madih Talal and Rei Tachikawa. All eyes will be on Messi Bouli as the fans in the Furnace will expect a five-star performance from the African striker.

Hira Mondal (Mohammedan SC)

The Kolkata-born left back has previously plied his trade with teams like East Bengal, NorthEast United FC and Bengaluru FC before making a move to Mohammedan for his second stint with the Black Panthers.

Wadoo will heavily rely on the experience of Mondal to shine and make those overlapping runs from the flanks. He will be tasked with the responsibility of keeping Sanan and Vincy at bay and also making runs from the flanks during transition plays and counterattacks.

Did you know

• Jamshedpur FC won the game when these two sides last met at the Furnace
• This will be Owen Coyle’s first-ever home game as Jamshedpur FC coach
• Owen Coyle has never won a game against Mohammedan SC

Telecast Details

The 2026 Indian Super League match between Jamshedpur FC and Mohammedan SC will take place at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday (15 February)

It will kick off at 5:00 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sony Network or streaming on Fancode.

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