Breaking News: Churchill Brothers sign Afghan International Sharif Mukhammad

Ravish Narvekar

The Afghan International has scored eight goals for his previous club in the last two seasons.

Churchill Brothers FC have completed the signing of Afghanistan International midfielder Sharif Mukhammad for the rest of the season of the I-League 2022-23. The centre midfielder who can also take the responsibility of centre back will replace injured Milad Pakparvar. The Tajikistani forward is suffering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

"Sharif Mukhammad is arriving today. He is very experienced player and has already played in India before. We have completed his transfer and happy that he will be available for selection for tomorrow's match. Sharif will replaced injured Milad Pakparvar." A source close to the Goan club told the-kickoff.com

The defensive midfielder who won the I-League in back-to-back seasons with Gokulam Kerala has experience of playing for top clubs in Russia and Sweden. The 32-year-old has scored eight goals for the Kerala based club in two seasons and donned an armband for them in the last season. Before joining the Indian club in 2020, Sharif also won the Dhivehi Premier League 2019-20 with Maldivian club, Maziya.

The Red Machine has recently signed an Ivorian forward Bayi Kamo who marked his debut with a goal against Aizawl FC in their last-round match at Tilak Maidan. However, Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka's goal in the 75th minute forced Churchill to share the spoils with the visitors.

Currently, the Goan club has plunged with injuries to their foreign recruits as Spanish forwards Manuel Cordero Giuli is injured and will take some time before making it into the matchday squad. Whereas, another Spanish forward Tana and a French striker Abdoulaye Sane are not fully fit to make the start for their side. The former I-League Champions are currently relying on their skipper, Senegalese defender Momo Cisse and newly signed forward Bayi Kamo. However, the addition of Afghanistan International will give some boost to the Goan side.

Churchill Brothers are in need of a desperate turnaround as they are yet to secure their first win in the ongoing I-League. The Goan side are currently placed 11th in the league standings with just two points from the first five matches.

So far, Churchill Brothers have managed to hold Mumbai Kenkre FC and Aizawl FC to a 1-1 draw, while Rajasthan United, Sreenidi Deccan FC and Real Kashmir FC have defeated the Goans by a solitary-goal margin.