Shillong, Oct 22: Fresh from their SSA Super Cup 2026 win, Nongkseh will embark on a national tournament with the start of the 2026-27 I-League 3 on Thursday.
Nongkseh have been drawn in Group C with Chhaygaon FC of Assam, Lakecity FC of Madhya Pradesh, Godavari FC of Andhra Pradesh and Kuppuraj FC of Pondicherry.
The 5th Meghalaya State League champions will take on Kuppuraj at 5PM at the SSA Stadium. Before that, starting at 9AM, will be Lakecity versus Godavari.
At a press conference yesterday, Nongkseh SSCC President and team manager Daniel Thangkhiew informed that the club has taken on three more Meghalaya players to strengthen its squad – Owanijuh Pajuh, Ieitlang Syiemlieh and Wanteilang Malngiang. The first two played for Bhawanipore FC most recently in Kolkata. They were also previously at Rangdajied United in the Shillong Premier League. Wanteilang, meanwhile, is a Shillong Lajong goalkeeper.
Nongkseh could only finish fourth in the just-concluded SPL 2026, their maiden run in that league, but bounced back in time to win the knockout Super Cup that followed.
There have been two clubs from Meghalaya to have competed in I-League 3 before – Rangdajied (MSL 3 champs) and Mawlai (MSL 4 champs) – but neither were able to progress past the first round.
This also happens to be the first time that I-League 3 matches are being held in Shillong, so Nongkseh will have the benefit of home advantage.
“We have a very good squad, all the players are experienced,” coach Joseph Naik said at the press conference. “We have players who understand the game and who have played in many leagues across India. But we have planned, we have prepared ourselves, we have trained ourselves with purpose, with desire, with heart and we want to pay back at this moment for the fans who come and support us.”
Naik joined the club before the Durand Cup (where they couldn’t get through the group stage) and SPL 2026 but Nongkseh were already on the fast-track to success.
Captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri recounted that just 12 months ago Nongkseh were in the Shillong Sports Association’s First Division. They won that, the SSA Champions Cup, a tournament in Sikkim and then the MSL, before hiccups in the Durand Cup and SPL, followed by triumph in the Super Cup.
Nongkseh have made no secret of wanting to be a force in Indian football and it starts right here with I-League 3.
Nongkseh squad:
Goalkeepers – 1 Babitlang Wahlang, 31 Daraphun Talang, 32 Guidle Syiemlieh, 23 Wanteilang Malngiang
Defenders – 6 Kynsailang Khongsit, 14 Aibiangmame Nongneng, 77 Mebankhraw Wahlang, 21 Banraplang Pyngrope, 2 Banskhemlang Mawlong, 3 Mickyson Tangsong, 15 Arlangky Nongsiej
Midfielders – 10 Hardy Cliff Nongbri, 17 Kynsaibor Lhuid, 26 Kitboklang Pale, 28 Hamedamanbha Wahlang, 30 Pynbhalang Suting, 5 Baiaikara Swer, 16 Fullmoon Mukhim
Forwards – 20 Skilful Tariang, 11 Chesterpaul Lyngdoh, 7 Sheen Sohktung, 8 Chanmitre Thma, 27 Shano Tariang, 12 Aenam Graffenberg Jyrwa, 19 Dawanchwa Challam, 24 Dawanbiangmi Passah, 18 Owanijuh Pajuh, 9 Ieitlang Syiemlieh