Fans' favourite Sandesh Jhingan will not be leading the Kerala Blasters this season of the Indian Super League, after the club announced striker Bartholomew Ogbeche will be the captain this 2019-20 season.
"Here's introducing your new Captain for the 2019/20 Season, Bartholomew Ogbeche! The Big Man will look to maintain his form from last season and spearhead his new side to success this season #YennumYellow #KeralaBlasters," the club tweeted from its official account.
Jhingan has been with the Kerala side since the inaugural 2014 season of the ISL, and has been an inspiring figure both as a player and a captain on the field. The Chandigarh lad is also the mainstay of the Indian national team defence.
The new Kerala Blasters coach Eelco Schattorie, however, said that Ogbeche, 34, was preferred considering his experience. He started off with French giants PSG and went on to play with English, Spanish and Dutch clubs. He has represented Nigeria in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
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“Looking at the experience, and being the eldest, we came to the conclusion that the best captain for the team in my opinion is Bart,” the club quoted Schattorie as saying in a tweet. “He has great leadership qualities & I'm really looking forward to getting started with the rest of the team and have a great season!”
Ogbeche, with 12 goals, was instrumental in guiding NorthEast United to the play-offs last season—for the first time in the club's history—under Schattorie. The Dutch manager and his prodigal ward were reunited at the Kerala Blasters this season.
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“It is a big honour for me to lead Kerala Blasters this season. I am humbled,” Ogbeche said. “I hope to lead the team to the final with the help of the other experienced players in the squad,” said the striker, who was celebrating his birthday today.
The sixth edition of the ISL is scheduled to kick off on October 20 in Kochi with Kerala Blasters hosting ATK. After a forgetful season, Kerala Blasters are trying to build a strong squad under new coach Schattorie, to mollify the fans who have been calling for an improvement in the management since last season.