Doyang Strikers Mokokchung have continued their impressive run in the 27th MDFA Trophy 2025, securing a spot in the semifinals where they will face Super Seniors FC in what promises to be a classic encounter.
Captain Benrithung leads a strong lineup that includes Sashi in goal, defenders Saronbemo, Zaremo and Pangersunep, midfielders Toka Achumi, Yami, and Somon, and forwards Yhoto Lohe, Khangam Horam, and Striker Ganghui, along with a number of young emerging local talents.
The Strikers began their campaign with a commanding 4-0 win against Thunderbolt FC, though several core players were unavailable due to a clashing football calendar. They followed it with a 3-0 win over Nagaland University, finishing top of their group, and sealed their semifinal spot with a 5-0 win against Sangpang Riju.
Speaking to MT, Coach Abel Ngullie said the team’s progress has been gradual but steady. “Since the first day, we tried to gather all players to participate in this prestigious tournament. Our initial squad was incomplete, but now all players are together. We hope our strategy and teamwork will carry us through,” he said.
On their upcoming semifinal match, Ngullie acknowledged the challenge posed by Super Seniors FC. “Super Seniors have the experience and talent; it will be a very tough team to beat. We wish them all the best, but we also hope our tactics will play out in our favor,” he said.
According to Coach Abel Ngullie, since the first day they tried to gather all the players together to participate in MDFA – one of prestigious tournaments in Mokokchung. “We tried assembling it including the District Wokha players and the squad but the core members were missing in the initial matches,” he said, adding that their squad is now complete.
On the team’s progress, he said, “We are hoping that all the players have now understood one another better and our strategy will win.”
Speaking on the club’s journey, he added, “It is our first football tournament. We have tried to assemble players; we tried with a volleyball team last year and participated in Mokokchung. The whole idea of this club is that we have to come together in everything we do. There’s always a little void, so we were like, let all like-minded people come together and give something good to the society. We can only hope it gets better.”
Ngullie credited ADC Chumlamo Humtsoe for coordinating the team’s formation. “Through him, we coordinated and started the team,” he said.
Highlighting the club’s impact on local talent, Ngullie said, “We have about 7–8 local players from Wokha, and as they play with our star players from Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam, they are taking away something to learn from. Playing together with their seniors and star players can definitely guide them. Our local players are not from the academy, although some have participated in the Dr T Ao Trophy, but we can see that including two from defence, midfield, and winger, they are all doing way better than expected.”
With their squad now complete and confidence high, Doyang Strikers FC aim to carry their momentum into the semifinals and continue their quest for the 27th MDFA Trophy.
