Churchill Bros add extra foreign player to I-League squad

Panaji: Churchill Brothers FC are leaving nothing to chance in their quest to win the I-League for a third time.
The Goan side has won the I-League twice in the past and came close in 2020-21, losing the title on the concluding day. With the I-League champions now assured of a place in next season’s Indian Super League (ISL) as per the roadmap cleared by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), there is extra motivation for clubs to finish on top.
While clubs will be allowed to field four foreign players, including an Asian, Churchill Bros have added an extra foreigner to ensure that they do not fall short.
After retaining Senegalese centre-back Momo Cisse from last season’s campaign, Churchill completed the signings of Tana, Senegal striker Abdoulaye Sane and Iranian winger Milad Pakparvar. Now, they have added Spanish attacking midfielder Manuel Cordero to their foreign player list.
The former champions have also signed left-back George D’Souza who last featured for Odisha FC in the ISL, and midfielder Gautam Dias from Sporting Clube de Goa.
“We need foreign cover so that there is no handicap if someone gets injured,” said Churchill CEO Valanka Alemao. “Last year we had to pay a big price due to injuries to foreign players. We have a talented squad, good enough to become champions.”
Coach Antonio Rueda has already taken charge of the squad.
Last season, the Spanish coach missed the first half of the I-League campaign as he was recovering from Covid-19. However, he took charge midway and turned Churchill’s fortunes, bringing them out of the bottom half and finishing fourth.
This season, given the new arrivals, the target will be much higher.