Shillong, December 12: For either Nongkseh or Shillong Lajong, one side will be rejoicing like never before on Saturday evening while the other will witness the end to an astonishing unbeaten run going back months. For there can be only one winner tomorrow evening when we crown the first ever winners of the SSA Champions Cup 2025 and it is fitting that the deciding match will be between these two teams. Kick-off at the SSA Stadium will be at 4:30pm.
Nongkseh and Lajong have not tasted defeat in any Shillong Sports Association competition this year but, being a final, someone will have to lose just as much as the other has to win.
The pair have already met in this tournament, as both were in Group B, and that meeting ended 1-1. They packed out the SSA Stadium that evening on 4 December and a new rivalry was born – both sets of fans plus the many neutrals who will be drawn to the mouthwatering final will be hoping for another top-class performance on Saturday.
Playing in the top flight Shillong Premier League, Lajong were unable to defend their title from 2024 as they finished runners-up to Langsning. It was a close-run thing – SLFC needed a win in their last match but were held to a goalless draw by Nangkiew Irat. Although they finished second, they were unbeaten through the nine games of SPL 2025, winning five and drawing four. Lajong earned some consolation by lifting the new SSA Super Cup, with two knockout matches in a row going in their favour.
In the Champions Cup, they won three Group B games, drawing only against Nongkseh. SLFC then comfortably came through their semifinal 2-0 against Meghalaya Police on Wednesday. That makes for a total of 16 matches unbeaten, going back to the start of the SPL in August.
For Nongkseh, the run has been equally impressive, if not more so. Playing in the First Division, they were victorious in all nine matches on their way to the title and promotion to next season’s SPL, conceding only two goals in the process. The Super Cup was only for SPL teams, so Nongkseh did not get a chance to test themselves there.
In the Champions Cup they won three and drew one group game. However, it was the semifinal against Langsning on Tuesday that was their ultimate test. The three-time SPL winners produced a shock, with two goals in under 20 minutes. But Nongkseh made it clear that they had nerves of steel and they managed to equalise with two of their own by the 30th minute. An extraordinary contest went all the way to penalties, where Nongkseh outwitted their opponents 4-3.
Nongkseh have assembled a fantastic array of talented players this season, many of whom have I-League experience. There are really too many names to highlight but the dynamic Chesterpaul Lyngdoh, Kynsaibor Lhuid, Kitboklang Pale and Hardy Cliff Nongbri will be key up front and in the midfield. Mebankhraw Wahlang, Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw and Banskhemlang Mawlong will be just as vital to ward off Lajong’s attackers. Daraphun Talang, meanwhile, blocked a penalty in the win against Langsning and that must have done a world of good for the goalkeeper’s morale after conceding those two early goals.
For Lajong, Riborlang L Lyngkhoi started the tournament with two hat-tricks but has since gone quiet after that. But, such is the club’s depth, other players have stepped up, with Babysunday Marngar and Deibormame Tongper the obvious threats. Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi’s set-piece skills, Samchaphrang Lato’s ability in the midfield, Wilbert Marbaniang’s defensive talent and the brilliance of Wanteilang Malngiang in goal mean that Lajong have the strength to take the fight to Nongkseh.
At the pre-match press conference today, both teams – represented by Wilbert and manager Lekini Suting from Lajong and Hardy Cliff and coach Richard Nongneng from Nongkseh – said they would play the same kind of football that the have entertained the fans with for the last few months. And that is completely understandable as it is this brand of football that has gotten them to where they are now – vying to be the Champions of Champions, a title that comes with a gorgeous trophy and one of the biggest cash prizes in any football tournament in Meghalaya, a whopping Rs 8 lakh.
Even without that cheque, it is the title, the glory, the joy of their fans and the pride victory would bring that the players and the support staff are chasing most of all. For the clubs, both have a long history of being in the sport but Lajong’s record is undoubtedly more successful. Nongkseh have really made a statement this season and the icing on the proverbial cake would be winning tomorrow. But Lajong are not going to give up their reputation, hard-won over the years, for being the premier team in Meghalaya, the one everyone else wants to beat. Epic is a word thrown around too easily these days but Nongkseh versus Lajong in the final of the Champions Cup fits the bill.
