KOLKATA: There is still no clarity over the participation of the majority of the I-League teams, including Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, in the Super Cup . These I-League teams have appealed to the All India Football Federation to the start the tournament all over again from the qualifying stage so that Minerva Punjab FC, Aizawl FC and Gokulam Kerala FC get the chance to participate in the meet.

However, the green and maroons’ star-player Sony Norde said on Monday that the players want to play in the tournament and also claimed he skipped his national team’s Concacaf Nations League Qualification match against Cuba on Sunday to concentrate on the Super Cup.

The Nations League Qualification also doubled up as qualification for 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup.

"We, the players, want to play in the Super Cup. We did not do well in the I-League, so this will be a chance for us to make amends. We want to play for the supporters. The officials always try to do the best for the team and if we don’t play, it will definitely be for a reason. But, I am pretty sure that the officials will fight to play as they know the players want to play,” said Sony, before touching on the Haiti national team aspect.

"I spoke to the coach of the national team (Marc Collat). I told him that Mohun Bagan will be playing the Super Cup and, since Haiti have already qualified for the Gold Cup, I wanted to stay in India. But, it is a little bit disappointing for me now…Haiti won 2-1 and it is still not sure whether Mohun Bagan are going to play.”

Asked about Sony’s comments, Bagan’s finance secretary Debashis Dutta said, "Like the players, we are also in favour of playing. But, we want to play the tournament in unified manner involving the 10 I-League and Indian Super League teams.”

Sony, meanwhile, backed the idea of having one league in the country. "It will be good and more competitive. It will also be better for the national team,” said the Haitian.

Bagan had resumed their training session at the club ground on Monday. As per the current Super Cup schedule, Bagan are to take on Bengaluru FC in a pre-quarterfinal encounter on Sunday.

