Defending champions Mon bank on young players and revamped squad to retain title
The Dr T Ao Trophy arrived in Mokokchung on Sunday, October 11, ahead of the tournament’s October 13 kick-off, following a handover by the Mon District Football Association (MDFA) at Renpo Lu Astro Turf in Ungma.
Defending Champions Mon are expected to arrive in Mokokchung on October 12.
Mon will enter this year’s competition with a revamped squad, having lost several key players from their title-winning campaign in 2025. Despite the changes, the MDFA is banking on young talents, a new coaching setup and a renewed emphasis on grassroots development as it hopes to defend the title.
Speaking to MT about the team’s preparations, MDFA General Secretary Kaiwang Konyak said the association had faced several challenges in assembling the squad, including changes in the coaching staff and the unavailability of players from the previous edition.
“Our former coach Ating cannot be with us due to certain personal reasons, so we brought in two coaches from Assam. Many of the old players are not part of this year’s squad. Some are injured, some have signed up for other clubs and upcoming tournaments, while some have joined the Territorial Army and are undergoing training,” Konyak said.
He added that the association had conducted selection trials and made efforts to assemble a competitive team despite the challenges.
“There is no complacency from our side. Even last year, we won it with hard work and dedication. We won because we had collaboration between the team and the staff. It is teamwork that brings in the win,” he said.
Konyak said the ambition to retain the trophy extended beyond the players to the district as a whole, adding that the association was keen to establish consistency following its previous triumph.
“Winning one time is something, but we want to be consistent,” he said.
The MDFA has appointed Anjan Gohain as head coach and Nihal Kachari as assistant coach, both from Golaghat, Assam. According to Konyak, Gohain holds an AFC B coaching license, while Kachari holds an AFC C coaching license. Both have backgrounds in grassroots football.
Konyak said the association was looking beyond immediate tournament results, with a focus on developing players, improving discipline and building a stronger team structure.
“This time, we are not only focusing on managing football but on building the team. It is not going to be our regular defensive football, but we will play an attacking style of football,” he said.
With several established players unavailable, the MDFA has turned to younger footballers as part of its squad-building approach. Konyak said the association was looking to develop a more professional culture and had drawn lessons from its experience playing against Aizawl FC.
The squad includes young players such as 16-year-old Manpa, a left-back from Greenwood School, Dimapur, alongside other emerging talents. The team also retains players from its previous campaign, including Golden Glove winner Teihom, according to the MDFA.
Konyak said local competitions such as the Noke Trophy, Aboi Cup and Topu August Cup had contributed to improvements in football standards in Mon district. He pointed to progress in technical ability, tactical awareness and club-level management, adding that the association was working towards registering players and clubs as part of its efforts to build a more structured football system.
As participating teams prepare to arrive in Mokokchung, the defending champions will look to begin their title defence with a changed squad and a renewed focus on youth development, discipline and attacking football.
Mon squad for the 25th Dr T Ao Trophy will include the Golden Glove winner Teihom, Amun, Eshong, Tingshak and Manpu among others.
