Restarting I-League campaign from zero was difficult: Karim Bencherifa

Last Monday, former champions Mohun Bagan comprehensively defeated Pailan Arrows 2-0 to confirm their stay in the top tier I-League for next season. When the Calcutta team re-started in January after paying a hefty fine for refusing to play in the second-half against East Bengal, the team’s morale was definitely low after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) declared all their previous matches null and void.

“Any message for the Bagan fans?,” I asked Karim Bencharifa over the phone from Doha.

“Have patience in difficult times, support when needed and celebrate in good times,” replied the affable Moroccan coach, who now seemed happy to see his team overcome the relegation.

He termed the re-start campaign in the I-League as “challenging and difficult”

“We had to start from zero point. It was really difficult for any team to start afresh,” said the Bagan coach.

Understandably, it was one of the most difficult phases for the glamorous team, which last won the tournament in 2001-02, when it was known as the National Football League. But Bencharifa’s inspirational words have guided the Mariners, who almost lost hope of playing in the I-League when AIFF slapped the club with a two-year ban after that ill-fated match against East Bengal last December.

So do you think a section of the AIFF targeted against the club?

“I don’t think so. I think we paid the price of a match that didn’t go well. It was a lesson for all of us. I don’t such thing will happen again as everybody was aware of what went wrong,” said Bencharifa.

Personally, I always felt that the Moroccan should have taken up the Indian job when Bob Houghton left the post in June, 2011.

Bencharifa, known for his sound knowledge and already experienced with the Indian clubs, was associated with Salgaocar then. But he turned down the offer and the football pundits felt that the Indian team missed the chance of having an experienced coach.

Bencharifa joined Churchill Brothers in 2006 and he immediately left an indelible impression when he managed the young Goan side. I had the opportunity to meet him at Ludhiana’s Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College ground in January. The Moroccan was new in India but his footballing knowledge had impressed everyone, right from the snooty Churchill owner to his opponent teams. No wonder he was voted Coach of the Year in 2007 & 2008.

“I know Karim well. Both of us have studied together in Rabat University,” said Al Sadd’s Moroccan coach, Housseine Amouta.

Amouta, in fact, spoke highly about Bencharifa’s pedigree as a coach.

“He has been successful with clubs in our country. He is a sensible coach and knows how to work with or without star players,” added Amouta, who last month won the Qatar Stars League with Sadd.

In the last six years, Bencharifa has completely understood the requirements in an Indian club. Coaching Bagan is always a difficult job, but he has made it look so simple. When Santosh Kashyap was struggling with the club, when Bagan appointed him their new coach early this season, the officials had no option but to recall the Moroccan back to Calcutta. The 45-year-old Bencharifa quickly reinstated himself and gave the Mariners a new lease of life.

Though the incident-marred derby against East Bengal had rocked the boat, the Moroccan ensured his team was back on track. Barring their defeat against Salgaocar when the Calcutta team restarted their campaign in mid-January, the team remained unbeaten in their next 10 matches.

As the League enters the last two rounds, both Bagan and Bencharifa should be happy, as at least, they have achieved a target. Bagan play their last two matches away against Churchill Brothers and United Sikkim FC.

“We should aim for the best position in the League table,” said Bencharifa.