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What’s the story?
Mohun Bagan have signed Lebanese footballer Akram Moghrabi as a replacement for Ansumana Kromah for the rest of the I-League season. The club confirmed the news on micro-blogging site Twitter on Friday.
In case you didn’t know...
Moghrabi has had an experience of playing in Indian football as he had featured for Churchill Brothers in the 2012-13 I-League season. He had scored 10 goals in 18 outings in the I-League.
He came to India after putting in back to back brilliant performances for his native club Nejmej SC. After the Churchill stint was over, Moghrabi went back to play for Nejmej again and then had a spell with Tripoli SC.
The heart of the matter
Incidentally, after the 2-1 loss at home against Minerva Punjab FC, Mohun Bagan took a bold step by parting ways with Kromah, after the Liberian exhibited a string of poor performances in the I-League this season.
Kromah's poor performances have coincided with a number of poor results for the Kolkata side, which has managed just one win in their last six matches. Kromah himself had managed to score just two goals in eight matches this season.
Moghrabi was a perfect choice for the Mariners who are struggling in the fifth position in the league with their title hopes fading with each passing day.
What’s next?
Mohun Bagan next play East Bengal in the return leg of the Kolkata derby on January 21. They need a win by hook or by crook to get their campaign back on track.
Author’s take
The Mariners have been struggling in this I-League season mainly due to their inability to score goals. Barring one game against Churchill Brothers where they scored five, Mohun Bagan have struggled to find the back of the net on repeated occasions.
In this scenario, the Bagan management have sought the services of someone who have had I-League experience in the past and is likely to get himself settled in the team more easily than any other foreigner.
