The Nagaland Football Association (NFA) on Sunday announced a 20-member squad for the Dr T Ao Junior Girls National Football Championship, scheduled to be held in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, from September 18 to 26.
The Nagaland team will leave for Chhattisgarh on September 15. The squad comprises two goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, four forwards and two strikers.
Kuluselu and Joyce Tap have been named as goalkeepers. The defence comprises Neiphal Khongsai, Shiloh Semenuo Zao, Haisieyile Ngame, Agamkala, Pauchulung Nbung, Kinbunle and Kewizaisilie.
The midfielders are Sangki N, Chongneiting Singson, Rukukholu Shijoh, Ilungle Newme and Charakungliu. The forward line features Kano, Sanenienla, Imjungbenla Walling and Lhaichanhoi Haokip.
Lungthauilu Gangmei and Kaguilu have been named as the two strikers.
Neithovilie Chalieu will head the team as head coach, assisted by Diethozolie Sechü. Dr Bongfila L Monzar has been appointed team manager, while Dr Lhingkhongah will serve as physiotherapist.
Nagaland has been grouped with Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab in Tier 2, and will play its opening match against Punjab on September 18.
Dr T Ao Junior Girls’ Championship set across two tiers
The 2026-27 season of the Dr Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship is being held from September 10 to October 7, 2026. Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, is hosting Tier 1 for the third consecutive season from September 10 to 25, while Tier 2 will be held at the RK Ashram Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, from September 15 to October 7.
Tier 1 features 15 teams divided into three groups of four and one group of three. Tier 2 consists of 18 teams split into two groups of five and two groups of four. The group winners will progress to the semi-finals.
Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, promoted from Tier 2 at the end of last season, will compete in Tier 1 in 2026-27, replacing Goa and Arunachal Pradesh, who were relegated and will compete in Tier 2 this season.
Tier 1 group-stage draw
Group A: Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala
Group B: West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan
Group C: Delhi, Gujarat, Bihar, Jharkhand
Group D: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
Tier 2 group-stage draw
Group A: Chandigarh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Sports Authority of India
Group B: Telangana, Goa, Andaman & Nicobar, Pondicherry, Arunachal Pradesh
Group C: Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Nagaland
Group D: Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh
