Andrey Chernyshov provides Mohammedan SC injury update ahead of ISL debut

The Black Panthers will look to impress on their debut.

After lifting the I-League trophy last season, Mohammedan SC got promoted to the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 and became the second team after Punjab FC to achieve this feat. They have chalked out a squad to cater to Andrey Chernyshov’s tactical framework for a completely new chapter in Indian football while retaining a majority of their roster from their I-League 2023-24 squad.

A pressing concern for the team, however, arose when their orchestrator in midfield was forced off a training session last week after sustaining a severe Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee. After being assessed by the medical staff, it came to their notice that Abdul Kadiri had sustained both ACL and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) injuries in his left knee, sidelining him for the season’s entirety.

That has put the team’s midfield at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in doubt, and Andrey Chernyshov shared his thoughts about the situation when asked about it in his pre-match press conference, as he feels this is a big loss for the team ahead of their debut season in the Indian top flight.

Abdul Kadiri’s absence from the ISL 2024-25 season

Abdul Kadiri Mohammed was among the key men for Chernyshov’s plans for their debut season in the Indian Super League. Kadiri has been a part of the UEFA Europa League side FC Dinamo Kyiv in the past. His tactical adaptability to play both as a defensive midfielder and a center-back made him a vital orchestrator for the team in the middle of the park. However, finding a replacement for him is something that the club’s coaching staff and management wouldn’t be doing in a wishful fashion, but given the circumstances, they have to explore all the possible avenues to fill in the void in the team’s midfield.

“He smiles a lot. He also tries to speak and help the young players in the team. This is a big loss for us. But again, this is a part of football too. Now, we will look towards recruiting one good player for this position because we understand that Kadiri will be unavailable for a long time now and we will be playing in the Indian Super League after all,” the gaffer quoted.

Mohammed Jassim’s recovery

Mohammedan SC will also be missing out on the service from their 27-year-old full-back, Mohammed Jassim, who has been sidelined for their debut ISL game. Jassim is currently undergoing recovery from a sustained injury and is expected to make a return to the squad in the first half of the Indian Super League 2024-25 season itself.

Sagolsem Bikash Singh, the left-winger who marked his return to the maidan tent on a loan deal from Indian Super League side, Kerala Blasters FC, has also sustained an injury but is expected to return to the camp soon.

Mohammedan SC takes on NorthEast United FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on September 16, 2024, Monday. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM and will be telecasted live on JioCinema.

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