An AFC Cup berth at stake, top clubs of the country will vie for honours in the Federation Cup football tournament starting in Guwahati on Monday with a Group B match between defending champions Mohun Bagan and their Kolkata rivals Mohammedan Sporting.

Mohun Bagan rode Chidi Edeh's double strike to prevail over defending champions Mahindra United 2-1 and set up a summit clash with I-League winner Churchill Brothers in the 122nd ONGC Durand Cup football tournament in New Delhi on Sunday.

Breaking his silence over the six-month suspension Mohun Bagan slapped on him, Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia Tuesday said he would sit out for 12 months rather than play for a club "managed by a couple of egoistic and publicity crazy officials.

Having returned home after a 0-6 debacle at Al Kuwait, Mohun Bagan on Thursday said their opponents were much stronger and they want to take the positives from the matches.

Mohun Bagan skipper and star striker Bhaichung Bhutia was on Friday ruled out for 15-20 days due to knee and ankle injury dealing a serious blow to the green-and-maroons bid to add to their 12 Federation Cup titles.