Shillong, Nov 2: Shillong’s football carnival gets a level up from Tuesday as the SSA Champions Cup 2026 kicks off with a classic David vs Goliath clash – unbeaten Shillong Premier League champions Mawlai SC taking on Third Division runners-up Lamlynti FC at SSA Stadium, First Ground, Polo at 2:30 pm.
The Champion’s Cup is SSA’s ultimate test – winners and runners-up from all five men’s divisions locked in a league-cum-knockout battle for city supremacy. And this year, the field is almost entirely new.
Defending champions Nongkseh, who lifted the inaugural cup in 2025, have failed to even qualify after missing top-two finish in SPL. Only Shillong Lajong return for a second straight year; nine other contenders are debutants hungry for glory.
Mawlai come in as overwhelming favourites. Unbeaten throughout the SPL season to claim their third title, the reds were only stopped by Nongkseh in the Super Cup semi-final. With their core intact – SSA rules bar SPL and First Division sides from using loanees – Mawlai will be keen to turn domestic dominance into Champions Cup silverware.
But Lamlynti are no pushovers. The Third Division sensation topped their preliminary group, finished second behind champions Sanmer in Super 8, knocked out Umiew Maw U Sam on penalties and only lost the final to Sanmer. They know how to fight.
And they have armed up smartly. Using the five-loanee rule for lower division sides, Lamlynti have roped in Langsning duo defender Lukas Syngkli and keeper Nister Suting, Nangkiew Irat midfielder Nikelson Bina, Laitkor defender Shanborlang Nonglait and Mylliem Lum striker Shaitborlang Kharkrang – a mix of SPL experience and firepower to bridge the gap.
Last year, SPL and First Division sides swept all four semi-final spots, but Second, Third and Fourth Division sides ran them close and won hearts. This time, with six lower division teams bolstered by loanees, the gap is narrower.
Will Mawlai’s unbeaten swagger continue or will Lamlynti script the first giant-killing of Champions Cup 2026? First whistle at 2:30 pm will tell.
