Odafa Out To Prove His Critics Wrong

Odafa-Okolie
Can Odafa Okolie give success to Sporting Clube de Goa in I League . Image Source : aiff.com

Kolkata : Sporting’s lofty ambitions this season  in I League will revolve around Nigerian strike force Odafa Okolie . The Sporting Clube de Goa captain was instrumental in helping his side emerge as the champions of Goa Pro League . Odafa scored 14 goals for the Goan outfit . The Nigerian goal machine will be looking to prove his critics wrong in the I League .

Coach Clifford Chukuwuma would want Odafa to replicate his goal scoring form in the I league , as they go head to head with Kolkata outfit East Bengal on January 10 . Odafa feels the preparation have gone well so far “ We have prepared ourselves well for the I league . We won the Goa Pro League and have a young squad . We want to spring up a surprise in the I League this season .”

Speaking on the first match against East Bengal , Odafa sounded optimistic “ Look East Bengal are a top side . But we are also prepared well to take the challenge . Whoever plays good football on that particular day will have the last laugh .”

East Bengal’s Ranty Martins became the top scorer in I League last season . On being reminded about his competition with Ranty , Odafa said both will be looking to score goals and help their team win ,“ He has got  a great record in I League . But the match will be not played between Odafa and Ranty but East Bengal will play against Sporting Clube de Goa .”

Odafa had a lackluster season with Mohun Bagan couple of seasons back . But he have left it behind and moved ahead with Sporting . It was due to his effort that Sporting survived the scare of relegation . Odafa maintained he is happy in Goa as there is no pressure as compared in Kolkata . “ Look it’s all about winning in Kolkata . The fans here will lift you in joy if you win , but will not take much time to dump you if you are not successful . They will usher bad words at you , which is not good . As a professional footballer , I have taken it in my stride and moved on . ”

It will be pay back time for Odafa this season as he will want to stamp his authority again in Indian football . “ Odafa will be Odafa .” reminded the goal machine before signing out .