A clinical brace from Imnatoshi (19) led Mongsenbai Ward to a 2–0 victory over Sungkomen Ward in the final of the 7th Mokokchung Inter-Ward Football Tournament (MIWFT) 2026, played at Imkongmeren Sports Complex on April 4. The tournament was organized by Marepkong Youth Association under the aegis of Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) on the theme “Rise as One”.
Mongsenbai Ward, champions of the 3rd edition, clinched their second Mokokchung Inter-Ward Football Tournament (MIWFT) title with this victory.
Rongsenshilu, Guest of Honour for the final, underscored the importance of collective effort in football, noting that goals are the result of coordinated play involving assist providers, defenders and goalkeepers. He stressed teamwork and called for unity among the Ao community to revive its sporting legacy.
The final opened cautiously with both sides locked in a balanced contest, ending the first half goalless. Mongsenbai were dealt a setback before the break when their goalkeeper sustained a foot injury and required on-field attention from a local practitioner. However, no substitution was made, and the goalkeeper continued despite the injury.
The breakthrough came in the 69th minute through a well-worked move. Ashish (10) initiated the play with a header to Yangersosang (15), who delivered the final assist to Imnatoshi (19). The forward broke past the Sungkomen defence and struck from the edge of the box to put Mongsenbai ahead.
The match soon turned tense when Imnatoshi, advancing with the ball down the left flank, was brought down after a Sungkomen defender stepped in to halt the move, triggering a brief confrontation between players of both sides, with supporters also reacting. The situation was brought under control with intervention from security personnel, ward authorities and organisers. During the sequence, Suponglepba (3) of Mongsenbai, who had already been booked earlier, received his second yellow card and was consequently shown a red card, reducing his side to 10 men with around 13 minutes remaining.
Despite being a man down and with an injured goalkeeper, Mongsenbai maintained their defensive shape under sustained pressure. Sungkomen pushed forward in search of an equaliser, including 10 minutes of added time, but were unable to find the net.
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Imnatoshi sealed the result late in the game at 90+9 minutes, dribbling past multiple defenders and the goalkeeper before finishing from inside the box to complete his brace.
With six goals in the tournament, Imnatoshi was adjudged both the Highest Scorer and Player of the Tournament. In the individual awards, Lanukaba of Mongsenbai was named Best Defender, Lipoksungba of Sungkomen Best Midfielder, and Imkongtemsu of Artang Best Goalkeeper. Each of the individual awardees received a cash prize of ₹2,000 along with citations. Mongsenbai lifted the championship trophy along with ₹50,000 and citations, while runners-up Sungkomen received ₹30,000 with citations.
Further, Lipoksungba and Lipoksunep of Sungkomen, Ashish Rai and Lanukaba of Mongsenbai, and Imkongtemsu of Artang were selected from the tournament for MDFA trials ahead of the upcoming Dr T Ao Trophy.
