Inter Kashi will be without head coach Antonio Lopez Habas for their crucial Super Cup Round of 16 match against Bengaluru FC on April 23 in Bhubaneswar. The veteran Spanish tactician has returned home, reportedly to be with family following the birth of his grandchild.
“Habas will not be there for the first match. Since it’s a knockout competition, and the club doesn’t know whether they will win, they are not sure about his availability after it,” a source familiar to the situation was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
Habas, 67, is believed to have flown to Spain from Paris, where his daughter recently gave birth.
In his absence, assistant coach Carlos Fonseca will take charge of the Inter Kashi dugout for the knockout encounter against a seasoned Bengaluru FC side. Fonseca will be tasked not only with leading the team tactically but also rallying a squad that has had its share of distractions off the pitch.
Inter Kashi’s preparation has been overshadowed by an unresolved I-League title controversy. The club’s claim to the 2024–25 championship remains in limbo, pending a decision by the AIFF Appeals Committee. The dispute, rooted in eligibility rule infractions during the season’s climax, has cast a shadow over the team’s achievement and continues to stir uncertainty ahead of the Super Cup.
The tournament kicks off on April 20, with defending champion East Bengal taking on Kerala Blasters in the opener. However, doubts linger over the second scheduled fixture — Mohun Bagan SG vs Churchill Brothers — as Churchill has reportedly considered withdrawing in protest of the I-League situation.
Despite the distractions, Inter Kashi will hope to channel their focus into on-field performance. The absence of Habas, a respected figure with a history of domestic success in India, is undoubtedly a setback. But the team’s depth in leadership, embodied by Fonseca, may prove vital in navigating this high-stakes clash.
All eyes will be on Inter Kashi not only to see how they perform without their head coach but also how they respond amid a backdrop of controversy that continues to swirl around Indian football.
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