PANAJI
Dempo Sports Club announced its participation in the AIFF Super Cup 2025, marking an exciting new challenge and opportunity for the Golden Eagles. The team will begin its campaign against Indian Super League side East Bengal FC on Saturday, October 25, at the Bambolim Stadium.
Following Real Kashmir FC’s withdrawal from the competition, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) extended an invitation to Dempo SC to take part in the tournament. Rising to the occasion, the club accepted the opportunity to represent Goan football on the national stage.
“This is a huge opportunity for the club to participate in the AIFF Super Cup,” said Mr. Lector Mascarenhas, General Secretary of Dempo SC. “AIFF requested us to join the competition after Real Kashmir opted out. Although we were preparing for the I League and currently have not signed foreign players due to the uncertainty on the part of AIFF about it’s commencement, we chose to view this as both a challenge and a chance to expose our academy players to top-level competition. Nine of our youth players will be part of the senior team in this tournament.”
Mascarenhas further added, “We are going to give our best in the competition. This will serve as excellent preparation for our upcoming I-League campaign and a valuable learning experience for our young talents.”
Head Coach Samir Naik echoed the club’s enthusiasm and is positive about the team’s readiness for the competition. “We have trained for quite some time, and I feel my boys are ready and will put up a big fight in the competition” said Naik
He further expressed his appreciation for the club’s faith in homegrown talent, adding,
“I am grateful to the management, as several academy boys will now be playing in the senior squad. These are Dempo-grown and Dempo-bred players.” Concluding his remarks, Naik said, “We will give our best in every match.”
Dempo SC has been placed in Group A of the AIFF Super Cup 2025, alongside three ISL clubs - East Bengal FC (October 25) 16:30, GMC Bambolim Stadium, Mohun Bagan Super Giant (October 28) 19:30, PJN Stadium Fatorda, and Chennaiyin FC (October 31) 16:30, GMC Bambolim Stadium.
