Apuia injury update; Indian football team in tough spot ahead of important fixtures

Apuia’s injury casts doubt on India’s midfield plans for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025.

Just days before their Durand Cup 2025 clash against BSF FT, Mohun Bagan have been hit with worrying news that star midfielder Apuia has suffered a knee injury and will be out for at least 10 days.

The incident happened during a practice match, where Apuia collided with teammate Glan Martins and limped off the pitch with pain in his left leg. While the club hasn’t confirmed the extent of the injury yet, it’s enough to rule him out of their next few games.

“Apuia incurred a strain on his left knee during training when he collided with Glan. He might be out for at least 10 days, then the medical team will assess the situation again” a source close to the development told Khel Now.

Glan martins collided with Apuia 💔 pic.twitter.com/pQ8stMzIDi

— Mohun Bagan Hub (@MohunBaganHub) August 5, 2025

That’s a blow not just for Mohun Bagan but also for the Indian football team, who are preparing for the crucial CAFA Nations Cup 2025 in the coming weeks.

Also Read: Indian Football Team to replace Malaysia in CAFA Nations Cup 2025

Mohun Bagan’s Durand Cup campaign in limbo

Mohun Bagan comfortably saw off BSF FT with a 4-0 win at the Kishore Bharati Stadium. It was a commanding second-half display with three goals in just eight minutes, as Liston Colaco struck twice while Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh scored one each.

With this win, the Mariners have six points from two games and are currently second in Group B behind Diamond Harbour FC, only on goal difference. Their final group game on August 9 will decide who tops the group. Earlier, they edged past Mohammedan Sporting 3-1 in a tough opener.

But now, attention turns to Apuia’s recovery, especially with the AFC Champions League Two coming up later this year. As last season’s Player of the Year for Bagan, the club won’t want to take any chances with his fitness in a preseason tournament.

Earlier, Mohun Bagan also missed out on the services of captain and left back Subhasish Bose. Jose Molina revealed that Bose was not at 100 per cent and would be unavailable for the BSF clash. It remains to be seen whether the India stalwart returns to the line-up for the match against Diamond Harbour.

Major blow for Indian Football Team ahead of crucial fixtures

Apuia’s injury is just as concerning for the Indian national team. Under newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil, India are gearing up for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, which kicks off on August 29.

The timing couldn’t be worse. With no domestic league games due to the ISL’s uncertainty, players are already lacking match fitness. Apuia had been one of the few consistent performers for the Blue Tigers, and losing him now could seriously affect India’s chances and performance.

India are also preparing for two must-win AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Singapore later this year. Apuia, one of the few bright sparks in India’s recent underwhelming outings, will be central to that campaign.

Suhail Bhat adds to injury woes

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan and India forward Suhail Bhat has reportedly also emerged as an injury concern. The young striker, who scored in the 3-1 win over BSF, picked up a knock in that game and skipped training on Wednesday.

While Bagan are hopeful he recovers in time for their next match, the club is monitoring his condition closely. However, for the India U23 side, his availability is even more important.

Suhail is expected to start for the Young Tigers at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, beginning September 3. India face Bahrain in their opening match, and losing Suhail would be a major setback for the age-group squad.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.