Kolkata: One step at a time! This is a very common phrase used by sportspersons around the globe. Mohammedan Sporting Club captain Nikola Stojanovic isn’t any different. Instead of rushing things up, the Serbian midfielder wants everyone associated with the club to go slow and steady to the top – Indian Super League – but also at the same time focus on the present.
“I-League is a prestigious competition and I am happy to be involved in this, but, of course, every player wants to improve, every team wants to improve,” Stojanovic told Sportslight Media in an exclusive interview.
Introduced in 2014 as a franchise-based football tournament following the success of the Indian Premier League (cricket), ISL has come a long way into being declared the top-tier of Indian football in 2019, replacing the two-decade-old I-League.
Like every other football club in India, Mohammedan Sporting too, have expressed their interest to play at the top level. Getting not carried away by the club’s high aspirations, Stojanovic wants everyone to focus on the game ahead against Rajasthan United on April 6 in the ongoing I-League 2021-22.
“Our target is to put Mohammedan Sporting Club into the Indian Super League and we will try our best to achieve it. However, right now we are focused on our upcoming game with Rajasthan United FC, this is most important as of now, we will go game by game and see what happens,” added the 27-year-old.
The Black Panthers are going through exciting times at the moment. After languishing in the backwaters of Indian football for several decades, Mohammedan’s association with Gurugram-based Bunkerhill Pvt Ltd has brought them fortunes.
Besides the monetary support and expertise in sports management, the corporate association has also helped the century-old club come out of financial constraints and put the Kolkata giants in forefront of Indian football.
Mohammedan, first staged a turnaround by winning the second division I-League title and returning to the premier division in October 2020. They brought a Russian head coach Andrey Chernyshov along with several foreigners of which Stojanovic is a part.
Stojanovic joined Mohammedan Sporting Club in 2021 and since then the midfielder has proved to be beneficial for the team. He played a crucial part in the Black Panthers’ Calcutta Football League title-winning campaign ending a 40-year-old wait.
✅DONE DEAL ✅
Mohammedan Sporting Club announces the signing of Serbian duo Stefan Ilic and Nikola Stojanovic ⚫️⚪️🇮🇳⚽️💪🏻#TransferAlert#DoneDeal#JaanJaanMohammedan pic.twitter.com/UuH05gyizC
— Mohammedan SC (@MohammedanSC) June 13, 2021
However, Mohammedan missed out on a double when they lost to FC Goa in the Durand Cup final the same year. The Serbian had a wonderful Durand Cup. He provided five important assists in six appearances and also scored a goal against FC Bengaluru United in their semifinal win.
In the ongoing I-League 2021-22, Stojanovic has been one of the most important players for the Kolkata side along with star striker Marcus Joseph. Mohammedan Sporting currently sit at the top of the I-League 2021-22 with 19 points from nine games, four points ahead of the defending champions Gokulam Kerala FC who have played a game less.
Stojanovic was brilliant in Mohammedan’s comeback against TRAU FC in their previous encounter. So far, the midfielder has provided six important assists in eight appearances ensuring the team secure the top spot.
If 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 is an art, then 𝑵𝒊𝒌𝒐𝒍𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒋𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒄 is 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤 of it!
🧑🏻🍳⚽️⚫️⚪️🏁#JaanJaanMohammedan pic.twitter.com/NP7D9JMIF4— Mohammedan SC (@MohammedanSC) March 30, 2022
Leading a team like Mohammedan Sporting Club, which has enriched history and valour, is a mammoth task. However, the skipper seems to do it with utmost ease keeping his cool throughout. “As a captain of a big club like Mohammedan with such history, it is always a pressure.
“The pressure is because the expectations are high, but personally, I do not feel the pressure. Rather I am proud to be the captain of this team and I hope we keep going this way,” he added. Stojanovic’s success in India has been credited to Chernyshov’s philosophies as well along with the talent of the Serbian himself.
“What I like the most about coach is the person he is and how he pushes the limits for the players and team altogether. He knows exactly what to do at the right time. The most important aspect is that he gives the players the freedom to have their moment of creativity and game. That is what I like the most,” added the Serbian.
Maintaining consistency at the top level is a tough task and the Mohammedan Sporting skipper knows what he needs to do to hold on to the position. “Mohammedan is on the top and I hope that people are satisfied with this picture like we are, but it is just the present. We need to work hard to maintain it.
“Every player or athlete in the world can improve every day in every segment, as a person or as a professional. We can improve as a team and I can improve as an individual but we are happy how it is now and we will try to go all the way to the end,” signed off the Serbian.
