Shillong, Jul 24: The wait to see the biggest teams in the city again compete for glory is almost over with reigning champions Langsning set to face Sawmer in the opening match of the Shillong Premier League 2026 at the SSA Stadium, Polo, on Saturday. Kick-off will be at 4:45pm.
Langsning are riding a terrific run of form, having finished as runners-up in the 5th Meghalaya State League in June. Besides looking to defend their SPL title, they are also in preparation to play in their first Durand Cup tournament at the start of next month.
Earlier this month Langsning announced a slate of new signings for the new football season, with 10 names officially added to their roster.
Samuel L Kynshi, who has played for India at the Asian Games, leads the pack with the ex-Shillong Lajong FC, Mawlai SC, Punjab FC and Real Kashmir FC midfielder joining the SPL champions. Samuel was most recently with Gokulam Kerala in the Indian Football League, though he did not make too many appearances in the last season.
Coming in from FC Bengaluru United are two players – left-back Allen Lyngdoh Nongbri and forward Syed Ahmed. They were with the club as they finished runners-up in I-League 2, which earned FCBU promotion to the 2026-27 IFL.
A couple of players have joined from Garhwal FC – midfielder Richie Kharbani (who has been with Langsning before) and forward Rohan Manar. Midfielder Alex Manar, who this year featured for Meghalaya in the U-20 Men’s National Football Championship, has also joined the club.
Four other signings are forward Monush Lapang (joining from Rymbai Shkenshynriah), midfielder Mebanshngain Kurkalang (Rangdajied United), midfielder Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem (Shillong Lajong) and defender Rituraj Boruah (Chhaygaon).
On the other side of tomorrow’s equation will be Sawmer. They had an ordinary season last year, with four wins and five defeats that left them in sixth place.
Langsning have won all of their last three SPL meetings against Sawmer but the latter were also active in the pre-season transfer window.
Some eye-catching new names in their squad include Oresterwell Langshiang, who is one of several players signed from Nongrim Hills (who were relegated at the end of 2025), Raikutshisha Buam and Banteilang Lyngdoh from Nangkiew Irat and Cannyson Kharnaior from Malki.
As the SPL will be played over only one leg, every match is vital. Langsning had a slow start to SPL 2025 but bounced back to win the title in the end. Somewhat similarly, Sawmer suffered four bruising defeats before a turn of form saw them finish in the mid-table.
The SPL has been key to the growth of football – not just in Shillong but the whole of Meghalaya and is keenly followed, not just in the state but also among football fans around the country. And with the SPL results having a bearing on which teams qualify for the SSA Super Cup, SSA Champions Cup and the MSL, every club will be aiming to make a splash in what promises to be another roaring season.
