Churchill Brothers are likely to miss Balal Arezou from Afghanistan and Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot from Gabon when they take on the Indonesian side Semen Padang in their first home match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup in Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi on March 12.
However, the presence of Sunil Chhetri and Mendes Silva (Beto) will give Churchill brothers something to cheer about.
“It is a setback. But Chhetri and Beto coming together for the first time will make up for the absence of the two players,” an official told DNA on Saturday.
“Owing to to visa problems Balal has been held in Afghanistan. And due to personal reasons Henry had to head home,” he said.
Churchill Brothers, one of the top teams in the country, are placed second in the I-league points tally behind East Bengal.
It has not been a joy ride for this side from Margao, following a 0-3 defeat in its first round of the Group E encounter of the championship against Hong Kong’s Kitchee Sports Club on February 26 at the Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong.
Beto, who has scored 12 goals in the last 16 appearance for the team, will be the trump card for the Goan side.
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