Churchill Bros sign contract with coach & striker in Lisbon

The president of Churchill Brothers SC Joaquim Alemao has been in the Portuguese capital Lisbon to complete the signing of the clubs new chief coach Manuel Goncalves Gomes, also popularly known as Professor Neca, and top Gabonese striker Henri Antchouet. Accompanying Mr. Alemao on the trip was Raul Fernandes, who was representing the coach and player.

The contract signing was done at the Tiara Park Atlantic Hotel in Lisbon as both Manuel and Henri are based in the Portuguese city of Porto before shifting their base to India in the coming weeks.

Last season Gomes was on the verge of signing as coach of East Bengal Club, but due to some problems it did not happen and the red-and-gold would go on to sign successful English coach Trevor Morgan.

The experienced Gomes has worked as assistant coach of the Portuguese national team besides having the same role with Benfica Lisbon, while he has coached the national sides of Angola and the Maldives plus teams in Mozambique, Kuwait and elsewhere. He has also coached Portuguese second division club Estoril-Praia Sad.

Manuel Gomes stated that he was very happy to sign for Churchill Brothers who are the only family run team in India. "I know the passion that the Alemao family have for football especially Mr Churchill and Mr Joaquim Alemao. I will do my utmost to ensure that the team gains laurels in the coming season and with the trust given to me by the Alemao family I shall do my best. I know that several good players have been recruited and that the team has already experienced players in the team and signing Henri was a wise decision as he will add to the strength of the attack force," stated Manuel Gomes.

In Henri Antchouet Churchill Brothers seem to have also found a suitable replacement for Odafe Onyeka Okolie. The Gabon international is joining the Goans from Portuguese second division side Moreirense FC. Antchouet, who has 46 internationals to his name, has played in Europe for clubs in Spain and Greece besides numerous sides in Portugal.

Henri Antchouet stated that he was very excited about playing for Churchill Brothers in India. "I have heard so much about Indian football and more so about this great Family run Team Churchill Brothers. When my manager Raul Fernandes asked me to play for Churchill Brothers I readily agreed," stated Antchouet.

The clubs president Joaquim Alemao, who also is a Vice-President of the AIFF, stated that he was very happy to sign a coach and a player of such high calibres.

"To get two experienced persons in one go is a great achievement and I would like to thank the coach and player for signing for Churchill Brothers. We have put our trust in the coach and the player and we are sure that they together with our entire team will put up a good performance in the coming season," said Joaquim Alemao at the signing ceremony in Lisbon.