|
Calcutta: Mohun Bagan’s Syed Rahim Nabi is unlikely to feature in the IFA Shield semi-final against East Bengal, at the Salt Lake Stadium, on Sunday.
Nabi had suffered a hamstring injury while on national duty. The injury got aggravated during Bagan’s match against Deportivo Saprissa. Nabi did not train with the team on Friday.
Coach Karim Bencharifa conceded that Nabi’s unavailability could prove vital for his side. “There is no denying that it is a big blow to us… But we will be trying our best to make him play… We will be waiting till the last minute to see whether he will be fit to play or not,” Karim said.
However, there were some good news for Bagan as Denson Devadas, Aiborlang Khongjee and Tolgay Ozebe have recovered from their respective injuries.
“It will be great if Tolgay can play,” said Karim.
Meanwhile, East Bengal, on Friday, had requested the IFA to postpone the Derby by a day since most of their players are tired after extensive travelling over the last few days.
But IFA said their hands are tied. The renovated floodlights at the Salt Lake Stadium were switched on Friday. The last time a match under floodlight was played at the stadium was on November 20, 2011 when Bagan defeated East Bengal 1-0.
| 
