Ngangbam Naocha

Ngangbam was a part of the Northern Crown Club Khonghampat when he was scouted by Meitei for TRAU FC. His exploits in the competitions including the Super Division had earned the forward a place in Manipur’s Santosh Trophy Team in 2017-18. Whilst the side couldn’t progress to the semi-finals, Naocha scored four goals in six matches to emerge as one of the prominent forward talents from the region.

It was around this time that TRAU were preparing for the I-League Second Division and they spotted the Manipur state team’s players undergoing rigorous training sessions for the Santosh Trophy. The club requested the All Manipur Football Association to organize a friendly game with them. It was in this particular match that TRAU’s secretary found Naocha to be a worthy prospect in whom they could invest.

From thereon, he was lured to the club and even presented with the opportunity to captain TRAU’s U-18 team in 2018. Naocha’s best outing in that age-group was in the Manipuri Derby. The team was facing NEROCA’s U-18 side and the attacker rose to the occasion to bag a brace and secure a thumping 4-2 victory for his team.

Infact, his performances in that campaign grew so significantly that it reflected in the state’s prestigious CC Meet competition too. In the 61st edition of the Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE Memorial Football Tournament, Ngangbam Naocha Singh was named as the Best Young Player of the Tournament.

In the 2017-18 season, Naocha represented TRAU in 10 matches in the I-League Second Division. Naocha scored five goals in these ten encounters. In 2018-19 Naocha's goal contributions reduced as he notched three goals from 14 games.[1]

He made his I-League professional debut for TRAU on 14 December 2019 at Kalyani Stadium against East Bengal, he came on as a substitute in 90th minute as they lost 2-1.[2]

As of match played 3 June 2020[3]

• I-League 2nd Division

Winners (1): 2018–19