Chidi: Victory is all that matters

Edeh Chidi himself was very annoyed when things weren’t going his way at all since the AFC Cup return leg semi-final tie.

However, pumping in four goals in just a couple of matches East Bengal played so far post-Marcos Falopa regime, Chidi has roared back to form, which augurs really well before the much-awaited Sunday Derby.

Being someone who always strives to bring his best out in big matches, replicating the feat that had East Bengal running for cover in their forgettable Derby four seasons ago is certainly on the Nigerian’s mind. Now, if he does manage to give it back to Mohun Bagan on this occasion, East Bengal officials and fans might just not ask for anything more.

“Yes, scoring four goals in that game was truly a memorable experience. But getting a hat-trick is not the only priority. I’ll have to try and put up a performance, which ensures our team is on the winning side.

“Victory is all what matters,” Chidi said after Thursday’s training session — which was also Armando Colaco’s first as East Bengal coach — at the club ground.

On his part, Colaco, too, emphasised on Chidi regaining his rhythm at the right time. “Chidi, I feel, is in peak form right now.

“To be precise, he has peaked at the right time that keeps the team in fine fettle before such an important clash,” Colaco pointed out.

He may disagree, but there was a spring in the steps of Chidi and his teammates as Colaco got down to business on Thursday. “The coaching methods of every coaches vary. But it doesn’t mean we didn’t enjoy our previous coach’s ways. However, Colaco is our teacher now and we are his students. We need to follow whatever he says. And to talk of first day’s practice session, it was pretty good,” Chidi elaborated.

It’s Colaco’s man-management, which is being highlighted by East Bengal footballers. “I have played under Armando sir when he was the India coach,” recalled captain Mehtab Hussain.