Stephen Abarowei has not seen Mohun Bagan Super Giants’ (MBSG) matches regularly this season. He is aware that the team is on the verge of winning ISL League-Shield with a victory against Odisha FC, scheduled on 23rd February at Salt Lake Stadium. 

The lanky Nigerian striker who played a crucial role in Mohun Bagan’s back-to-back National League triumph in 1999-2000 along with Jose Ramirez Barreto and Uzbek striker Igor Shkvyrin also knows about MBSG’s two World Cuppers Jason Cumings and Jamie Maclaren and he is aware of their contributions to MBSG in the ISL. “I know them before they went to India to play for Mohun Bagan Super Giants," revealed Stephen while speaking to Parallel Sports from Lagos on Tuesday over the phone. 

When asked about the key factors behind their triumphant performance in the National League two-an-half decades ago, the 53-year-old footballer who has been running an academy in his home town, explained, “Yes, our combination was instrumental in guiding Mohun Bagan to win National League that time. But one of the key factors behind the success was the consistent show exhibited by the midfield generals."

He ontinued, "The midfield comprised of Basudeb Mondol, RP Singh, and Renedy Singh was superb. Especially I should mention Basudeb was a fantastic footballer whose defense-splitting passes made a difference in almost every match." 

Stephen feels that this time also, one of the key factors behind MBSG's success in the ongoing ISL is the team's midfielding functioning. "Greg Stewart played a crucial role in creating attacks and helping the defenders to foil opposition counter-attacks, " opined Stephen. The Green-and-Maroon brigade although has some leading midfielders like Aniruddha Thapa, Samal Abdul Samad, and Dimitri Petratos. 

MBSG can clinch the ISL League-Shield if FC Goa lose to Kerala Blasters on 22nd February, on the day before their match against Odisha FC.